The Magazine of the National Communication Association March 2020 | Volume 56, Number 1 HOW COMMUNICATION SHAPES THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN NCA_Spectra_2020_March_FINAL.indd 1 2/18/20 3:26 PM ABOUT Spectra, the magazine of the National Communication Association 2019 NCA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NCA), features articles on topics that are relevant to Communication President scholars, teachers, and practitioners. Spectra is one means through which NCA works toward accomplishing its mission of advancing Kent Ono, University of Utah Communication as the discipline that studies all forms, modes, media, First Vice President and consequences of communication through humanistic, social David T. McMahan, Missouri Western State University scientific, and aesthetic inquiry. Second Vice President NCA serves its members by enabling and supporting their professional Roseann Mandziuk, Texas State University interests. Dedicated to fostering and promoting free and ethical communication, NCA promotes the widespread appreciation of the Immediate Past President importance of communication in public and private life, the Star Muir, George Mason University application of competent communication to improve the quality of human life and relationships, and the use of knowledge about Diversity Council Chair communication to solve human problems. NCA supports inclusiveness Rachel Alicia Griffin, University of Utah and diversity among our faculties, within our membership, in the Publications Council Chair workplace, and in the classroom; NCA supports and promotes policies Kevin Barge, Texas A&M University that fairly encourage this diversity and inclusion. Research Council Chair The views and opinions expressed in Spectra articles are those of the Charles Morris III, Syracuse University authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Communication Association. 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NCA is not responsible for com/Turgay Malikli; p.14: istockphoto.com/bboserup; p.20: verifying the accuracy of advertisements. istockphoto.com/microgen; p.24: istockphoto.com/yuoak; p.27: Kristoffer Tripplaar/Alamy Live News, Michael Brochstein/Alamy Stock Photo, Sheila Fitzgerald/Alamy Stock Photo; p.30–31: UPI/ Alamy Live News; p.35: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Wire/Alamy Live News, March 2020 Paul Hennessy/Alamy Live News NCA_Spectra_2020_March_FINAL.indd 2 2/18/20 3:26 PM In this issue MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 2 Let’s Communicate During Election Season! 7 By Kent A. Ono, Ph.D. AN INTRODUCTION SPOTLIGHT HOW COMMUNICATION 4 SHAPES THE 8 Data About the Discipline: PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN THE EMERGENCE OF THE The Status of OUTRAGE PRESIDENCY Student-Loan Debt By Jennifer Mercieca, Ph.D. Public Presence: NSF Division Renamed to Include Communication 14 In Our Journals TWEETS, MEMES, AND SNAPS: THE WAY TO THE WHITE HOUSE By Diana Zulli, Ph.D. 20 PUNDITS, PARTISANSHIP, AND PERSONALITIES: THE MEDIA’S COVERAGE OF DID YOU KNOW PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ? By Shawn Turner, M.S. More than 450 Communication scholars are members of NCA’s Political 24 Communication Division. NCA Divisions are made up DIVERSITY IN THE 2020 U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: of colleagues who share an SEEKING JUSTICE BEYOND THE NUMBERS interest in an area of By Kristina Horn Sheeler, Ph.D. substantive inquiry. To learn more about the Political Communication Division and NCA’s 48 other Divisions, visit www.natcom.org/nca- 30 interest-groups. ARE THE 2020 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY DEBATES GOOD FOR VOTERS? By Benjamin R. Warner, Ph.D., Mitchell S. McKinney, Ph.D., and Mary C. Banwart, Ph.D. National Communication Association 1 NCA_Spectra_2020_March_FINAL.indd 1 2/18/20 3:26 PM MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Let's Communicate During Election Season! By Kent A. Ono, Ph.D. esides Political Science, few disciplines Let's begin with research. Communication research are as important to political elections as is so important to elections that Wikipedia now has an is Communication. Why is that? Well, of entry titled, “Research strategies of election campaign course, during elections there is an abundance communication research.” As narrow as that focus is, Bof communication, ranging from caucuses, political the entry tells us that “The overall purpose of conducting advertising, news articles, and social media posts, to election campaign communication research is to reveal conversations in homes and at work, to general information how election campaigns are organized with regard to about voting. A staple of presidential election years, communicational aspects as well as to show how and as well, are political debates and news and comedy with what effect election campaigns are covered by interviews. Branding of candidates and campaigns also media reports.” is very much alive, as in the traditional slogans, banners, To offer a more scholarly optic, political buttons, stickers, bumper stickers, pens, bags, flags, and communication and public opinion research stand out placards, but also in the less typical election-themed as two prominent Communication specialties that are clothing, mouse pads, towels, mugs, koozies, baseball relevant to elections. Additionally, though, Communication caps, onesies, bibs, coins, cell phone covers, totes, gym research, ranging from media and mass communication to bags, fanny packs, baseballs, and scented candles. interpersonal communication to strategic and international Yes, communication plays a vital, indeed ubiquitous, communication, has myriad connections to presidential role in U.S. elections. But what can Communication elections. Researchers have studied political style; rhetorical scholars and professionals do to help? I suggest that we can and discursive aspects of speeches and other election continue to play significant civic, political, and educational discourse; the various uses of social media platforms to roles during this election year, and that we also can develop affect election outcomes; presidential debate themes; the new ways to participate. discussion of social, economic, and political themes during The purpose of this brief article is, first, to help political campaigns; and social movements’ influence on jump start our thinking about how we, as scholars, political campaigns. Furthermore, the Communication professionals, and teachers, can lend our knowledge and discipline has contributed to our knowledge about the expertise to others. To do this, I review a few of the ways role of specific media, such as television, on campaigns; Communication scholars and practitioners have researched, presidential image-making; the election and international provided service, and taught students and broader publics relations; and the role of the presidency and presidential about elections. In other words, I start by reminding all of campaigns on race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, and us of what we already know. My second goal is to encourage national identity and politics. us to plan ahead in order to make the most effective Of course, communication professionals are responsible contributions possible. for designing, analyzing, and understanding surveys, 2 March 2020 NCA_Spectra_2020_March_FINAL.indd 2 2/18/20 3:26 PM There is much Communication scholars and professionals do, can do, and have done to help people better understand elections. polls, and focus group feedback. Some professionals have public election policies and laws, from quantitative media