Political Mischief: Smear, Sabotage, and Reform in U.S. Elections

Introduction The Matrix of Political Mischief The Nominating Process: Finding Someone to Run The Election Campaign: Marketing Politics Criticizing Opponents: Negative Campaigning The Elements of Unfair Campaigning Personal Vilification: The Classic Smear The Ghoul Gambit: Putting the Other Side Beyond the Pale Appeals to Bigotry: Religion, Race, Ethnic Background The Many Uses of Distortion Political Lies and Liars Politics and Patriotism Political Chicanery: Disrupting the Machinery Espionage and Sabotage Buying and Stealing Votes Mischief and Reform: Reform as Mischief Watergate: Mandate for Reform A Result of Reform: Invincible Incumbents Media Power and the Perception of Politics Further Perspectives on Reform Bibliography Index