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INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter fiice, while others may be from any type o f computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Ifigher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Iiifonnation Company 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 NATIONAL AND LOCAL MEDIA COVERAGE AND THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION CAMPAIGN OF 1992 DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Audrey A. Haynes, M.A ***** The Ohio State University 1996 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Professor John H. Kessel, Adviser Professor Paul Allen Beck Adviser Professor Herbert Asher Department of Political Science Professor Janet Box-Steffensmeier UMI Number: 9710578 UMI Microform 9710578 Copyright 1997, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 ABSTRACT This study investigates three questions related to national and local news media: first, what was the volume, direction and focus of national and local campaign coverage in the 1992 presidential election campaign? Second, what explains the differences or similarities in the way the national and local news media cover the campaign? Finally, does national and local news media coverage influence primary and caucus outcomes? Using content analysis, data was gathered from ABC World News Tonight broadcasts, the front pages of three national daily newspapers and 21 state/metropolitan daily newspapers from December 1, 1991 to June 3, 1992. The major findings of the study are the following: local coverage is different from national coverage; the antecedents of local coverage are different than those of national coverage; and local coverage appears to have a greater impact on vote than national coverage. Moreover, there is extensive policy coverage for the in-party campaign. This dissertation is dedicated to two special individuals without whose help and encouragment this study would never have been completed: James Vernon Chin, my husband and best friend and Professor John H. Kessel, whose guidance over the years has been greatly appreciated. in ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to thank my advisor and chair. Professor John H. Kessel for all of his advice, guidance and scholarly inspiration. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Professors Paul Allen Beck, Janet Box-SteflFensmeier, Herb Asher and Herb Weisberg, all of whom have been exceptional teachers and professional role-models. I wish to credit my peers in the Department of Political Science’s Graduate Program, particularly Tanya Charlick-Paley, Steve Nichols, Rosie Clawson, Staci Rhine, Laura Luehrmann, Jennifer Segal and Greg Strizek for their support during this process, and Retta Semones for all of her patient answers. Finally, my mom, Mili Haynes, deserves my thanks for her support and words of encouragement. IV VITA February 12, 1965 ........................................Bom, Colorado Springs, Colorado 1987 .................................................................. Journalism, University of Georgia 1991............................................................ M.A, Political Science, University of Georgia 1991-1994.................................................... Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, The Ohio State University 1994-Present................................................Instructor, Georgia State University PUBLICATIONS Research Publications 1. A A Haynes, P.H. Gurian, and S. Nichols, “The Role of Candidate Spending in Presidential Nomination Campaigns.” Journal o fPolitics 59:1 (1997). 2. H. Weisberg, A A Haynes, J. Krosnick. 1995. “Social-Group Polarization in 1992.” In Feast for Democracy, ed. H. Weisberg (New Jersey: Chatham House). 3. P.H. Gurian and A.A. Haynes, “Campaign Strategy in Presidential Nominations, 1976-88.” American Journal o f Political Science 37:1 (1993) FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Political Science TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract............................................................................................................................. ü Dedication ........................................................................................................................ üi Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................. iv Vita.................................................................................................................................... V List of Tables................................................. x List of Figures................................................................................................................ -xvi Chapters; I. All Politics is Local... News Coverage and Presidential Nomination Campaigns.............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Researching Media Coverage and Presidential Election Campaigns......................................................................................6 1.1.1 Early Studies of Media Coverage Content .......................................9 1.1.2 The Emergence of Television: Studies of the Mass Media Campaign..................................................................................... 12 1.1.3 Expanding the Focus: Media Studies in the 1980s and 1990s ........14 1.2 General Theories of Media Coverage Content ...............................20 1.3 Generalizability of Media Study Findings: The Question of Mass Media Homogeneity .......................................................................24 1.4 The Nature of Presidential Nominations ........................................ 26 1.4.1 Structural Properties of the Nomination Campaign ........................27 1.4.2 Candidate Performance of the Candidates......................................30 1.4.3 Candidate Resources ......................................................................32 1.4.4 Candidate Characteristics .............................................................. 34 1.5 The News Media and the Presidential Nomination Campaign: Plan of the Study .......................................................................... 36 1.5.1 What Moves Media Coverage at the National and Local Level?... 38 VI 1.5.2 Does Media Coverage Move Outcomes?.......................................41 1.6 Conclusion ..................................................................................... 42 Data and Design ...................................................................................................45 2.1 Content Analysis as a Research Tool ............................................. 45 2.2 News Media Sources to be Analyzed .............................................47 2.3 Units of Analysis ............................................................................ 55 2.4 Coding Procedures .........................................................................57 2.5 Conclusion ..................................................................................... 66 An Overview of the Events of the 1992 Democratic and Republican Presidential Nomination Campaigns ......................................................................................... 66 3.1 Early Days ..................................................................................... 66 3.2 Initial Contests: Setting the Campaign in Motion ...........................70 3.3 Winnowing and Mist-Clearing Stage ............................................. 80 3.4 Pre-convention and General Election Maneuvering Stage .............99 3.5 Conclusion: The Media and the Campaign ................................... 101 National and Local Media Compared ................................................................103 4.1 Media Homogeneity .....................................................................103 4.2 Media Coverage of the Campaign: “Attention” Differentiation Among Outlets............................................................................106 4.2.1 National Media Attention to the Campaign ..................................107 4.2.2 Non-national Media Attention to the Campaign ...........................Ill 4.2.3 National and Non-national