The Evolution of Presidential Polling

Explains how presidential polling evolved.

Robert M. Eisinger (Author)

9780521017008, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 20 January 2003

228 pages, 11 b/w illus. 1 table
22.8 x 15.3 x 1.6 cm, 0.316 kg

"Eisinger researches in impressive depth the use of pols from FDR through Clinton.... Recommended." Choice

The Evolution of Presidential Polling is a book about presidential power and autonomy. Since Roosevelt, virtually all presidents have employed private polls in some capacity. This book attempts to explain how presidential polling evolved from a rarely conducted secretive enterprise, to a commonplace event that is now considered an integral part of the presidency. Professor Eisinger contends that because presidents do not trust institutions such as Congress, the media and political parties - all of which also gauge public opinion - they opt to gain autonomy from these institutions by conducting private polls to be read and interpreted solely for themselves.

1. Seeking autonomy: the origins and growth of presidential polling
2. Planting the seeds of presidential polling
3. Checks and imbalances: congress and presidential polling
4. Dodging the hill: presidential polling in the post-Eisenhower years
5. Take the money and poll: parties and the public opinion presidency
6. The media are not messengers
7. Counting the people: the evolution of quantification and its effects on presidential polling
8. White House polling in the post-Watergate era
9. Presidential polling in the post-Reagan era: consequences and implications.

Subject Areas: Educational: History [YQH], Politics & government [JP], Regional studies [GTB]