Abstract

The 1980s are still an era of transition in American politics. The republic continues to have one foot in the old party-based forms of electioneering as it steps with die other into a new mode. As a new cadre of professional political consultants sets about “wiring elections,” die old ideals of a responsible two-party system are crumbling. At the level of local municipal, county and special district elections as well as state legislature and even many House races, die old machinery remains in place. Yet, in larger territorial units that encompass multiple media markets, like gubernatorial, U.S. Senate and presidential elections, the new media-based mode of electioneering diat prevails functions outside of the parties in polling organizations, candidate Political Action Commitees (PACs), and campaign consulting firms.