Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-1984

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Political Science

Major Professor

Dan Nimmo

Committee Members

Alex Smith, Tom Ungs, Paul Ashdown

Abstract

Even though the traditional American Politics literature virtually ignores the presidential transition period and its relationship to the political future of the president-elect, this research suggests that the transition period must be examined, for it is here that the successful presidential candidate evolves into a governing politician. "This creation of political character or the political presentation of self is crucial for the career of the politician and for an understanding of electoral politics" (Hall, 1972, p. 61). The choices made during the transition will reverberate throughout the remainder of the president's political career.

This study revealed that Nixon was highly successful in the creation of his political persona. He avoided violations of type and remained consistent in his presentation of his persona. The Carter persona that emerged during the 1976-77 transition was one of complex ity and incoherency. By attempting to combine two incompatible leadership roles. Carter violated his central role and proved inconsistent. Although Reagan avoided violations of type, he ran into trouble by pursuing a theory of silence and withdrawing from active participation in the Washington scene. However, once the trouble became apparent, the Reagan team devised an adaptive strategy and to a great extent corrected their earlier mistakes.

This study is based on a quantitative content analysis and a thematic analysis of the transition coverage provided by The Washington Post, The New York Times, Time, and Newsweek during three transition periods: November 5, 1968-January 20, 1969; November 2, 1976-January 20, 1977; and November 4, 1980-January 20, 1981.

There were approximately 77 days of newspaper coverage and 11 issues of the newsmagazines. The observation unit for the coding process was a story unit.

Coding categories were developed from a thematic analysis of The Washington Post over the three time periods. Four coding categories were used: the source of the story unit; the president-elect discussed; the substance of the story unit; and the mode of the story unit. Inter-coder reliability checks were not applicable. The intra-coder reliability score did not fall below 93 percent for a story unit. The average reliability score for the coding process was 97 percent.

Future research should involve a variety of media as samples. Network news and regional and local newspapers should be examined. Studies should span additional time periods in order for a more comprehensive comparative analysis.

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