Political practitioners find it amusing, and mildly threatening, that political scientists are still debating whether campaigns matter.
Every consultant has tales to tell prospective clients about how their stratagem, or tactic, or ad saved the day and won the victory everyone else thought impossible. In truth though, much of what passes for knowledge among political campaigners is nothing more than dimly remembered anecdote, thinly disguised salesmanship or simple barroom boasting.
That’s changed in recent years as academics and practitioners have brought scientific methods to the study of political campaigns. CONTINUED
Mark Mellman (Mellman Group), The Hill
The OPINION TODAY email newsletter is a concise daily rundown of significant new poll results and insightful analysis. It’s FREE. Sign up here: opiniontoday.substack