A Divider, Not a Uniter: George W. Bush and the American People

by Gary C. Jacobson

Book Overview

Neither ideological nor polemical, Gary Jacobson uses extensive poll data and trenchant analysis in this engaging book to show that the polarization of the American people - along party lines -... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0321416996
• ISBN13: 9780321416995
• Release Date: March 2006
• Publisher: Longman Publishing Group
• Length: 278 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.7" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Evidence-based analysis of partisan divisions

Gary Jacobson is a well-known student of American parties and elections. This book is fully up to his standards. The focus is the extent to which and the reason why President George W. Bush is "A Divider, and not a Uniter." Jacobson notes that partisanship has been increasing in the United States for the past several decades. Little of what he has to say will be news to those who study elections and political parties in the United States, but he does a nice job of bringing different pieces of evidence together to explain why partisan divisions appear even greater than under Bush II (even more so than with Presidents Reagan, Bush I, and Clinton). Among the factors: both parties in Congress have become more coherent and cohesive in their voting (that is, Rs voting with other Rs and Ds with other Ds) than three decades ago; Rs and Ds as candidates for office are more different ideologically from one another than in the past; the South having moved from Democratic controlled to Republican controlled has enhanced the party divide; activist partisans of both parties have moved further apart ideologically; even voters now differ by party more than they used to (although moderates still represent the plurality of voters). Jacobson mentioned others as well, but these provide a flavor. Many tables abound to demonstrate the increasing partisan divisions. Throw in a President who mainly focuses on "appealing to the base" rather than reaching out to moderates or Democrats, and you end up with a divided public. Into this mix, the Iraqi War and Hurrican Katrina produce even greater polarization. All in all, a good book to read for those interested in party politics and elections in the United States. It is also an interesting contrast to other books that claim that the mass of voters are not really so divided. Hence, interested readers might also take a look at Morris Fiorina, "Culture War?" for an alternative view.

wonderful index to a timely topic

We all know Bush is....well you know...And this book gives the documentation, not opinion, behind the title's premise. It's no surprise for most of us, but it's great to have the facts to back us up! The index is exemplary and zeros in wherever the reader may want to go quickly.