Polarization and the Presidency

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¿Bold and stimulating.¿ The authors provide a rich understanding of the policies and political strategies of presidents as they sought to create and sustain viable political coalitions.¿ ¿Bert Rockman, Purdue UniversityRobert Smith and Richard Seltzer offer fresh insights on the decisive, and often surprising, role of presidents and presidential candidates in polarizing US politics.In a rich, multidimensional narrative, the authors show how presidential rhetoric and policies have served to divide voters along lines of class, party, race, and region. They also underscore the enduring consequences of George Wallace¿s, Barry Goldwater¿s, and George McGovern¿s failed presidential campaigns. Moving beyond the ¿guns, God, and gays¿ conventional wisdom, their distinctive contribution leads to an enhanced understanding of the political attitudes that have shaped today¿s polarized polity.Robert C. Smith is professor of political science at San Francisco State University. Richard A. Seltzer is professor of political science at Howard University.