Presidential Debates Through Media Eyes

Abstract

Presidential debates traditionally attract millions of viewers and heavy press coverage. There is much evidence that the media interpretation of these events is influential even for people who have viewed the debates themselves. This study examines the 1996 evening news coverage and postdebate specials of ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN, exploring the way television journalists constructed the candidates' debate goals and expectations, their rhetorical strategies, and the effects of the debate.