Appraising Presidential Performance: A Test of the 'Values and Targets' Hypothesis
19 Pages Posted: 19 Jul 2010 Last revised: 20 Aug 2010
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Appraising Presidential Performance: A Test of the 'Values and Targets' Hypothesis
Date Written: 2010
Abstract
For reasons suggested by presidential history, I posit that citizens apply effectiveness, morality and prudence value criteria to appraisals of presidential performance. For reasons suggested by (among other sources) existing “single-variable” political science appraisal research I posit that they are applied to three evaluation targets: presidential traits (e.g., “strong leader.” See Newman, 2004) acts (e.g., “bold action;” see Kinder and Fiske 1986) and outcomes (e.g., “improved economy;” see Brody, 1991). This yields a nine-celled “values and targets” hypothesis matrix. I use the coded results of face-to-face interviews of more than 500 ordinary Americans (recruited to “match and mimic” random national samples) to test the “fit” of the evaluative criteria mentioned in interviews to the matrix. The interviews asked respondents to identify the criteria they use to judge presidents-in-general, the overall performance of the current incumbent, and the incumbent’s foreign and economic policy performance.
Keywords: evaluative criteria, presidential support, traits, acts, outcomes
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