Running on the Constitution

Election Law Journal, Vol. 8, p. 151, 2009

UCLA School of Law Research Paper No. 09-15

4 Pages Posted: 2 Apr 2009

See all articles by Adam Winkler

Adam Winkler

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - School of Law

Date Written: April 1, 2009

Abstract

In this book review, I examine the major findings of Andrew E. Busch's The Constitution on the Campaign Trail -- including that presidential campaigns invoke the Constitution less and less -- and raise questions about the implications of this finding. I argue that, in some ways, constitutional rhetoric is just as strong as ever in presidential campaigns. Moreover, even if Busch is right that constitutional rhetoric is declining, I disagree with Busch that this is an ominous sign of the poor health of American constitutionalism. Instead, the decline could be a sign of the health of our constitutional democracy because fewer constitutional issues are as hotly contested as they once were.

Keywords: book review, presidential campaigns, political rhetoric

Suggested Citation

Winkler, Adam, Running on the Constitution (April 1, 2009). Election Law Journal, Vol. 8, p. 151, 2009, UCLA School of Law Research Paper No. 09-15, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1371808

Adam Winkler (Contact Author)

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - School of Law ( email )

385 Charles E. Young Dr. East
Room 1242
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1476
United States

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