Presidential Speechmaking and the Public Audience: Individual Presidents and Group Attitudes

“Shaping history” or “Riding the wave”?: President Bush's influence on the public opinion of terrorism, homeland security, & crime

“…Research tends to bear this sentiment out, especially in regard to the presidents capability of influencing the public (Cohen, 1995;Denton & Hahn, 1986;Edwards, 1983;Gelderman, 1995;Graber, 1982;Kernell, 1997;Mayer, 1993;Page & Shapiro, 1984, 1992Ragsdale, 1984Ragsdale, , 1987Sigelman, 1980). The vast body of research in this area tends to concentrate in two areas, the presidents ability to manipulate his public approval ratings by engaging in foreign and domestic trips, giving televised speeches, or holding townhall meetings (Brace & Hinckley, 1992Hinckley, 1990;Kernell, 1997;Ostrom & Simon, 1985, 1988, 1989Ragsdale, 1984Ragsdale, , 1987, or by simply being the leader of public opinion (Denton & Hahn, 1986;Edwards, 1983;Gelderman, 1995;Graber, 1982;Kernell, 1997;Light, 1991;Page & Shapiro, 1984, 1992Page, Shaprio, & Dempsey, 1987;Sigelman, 1980).…”

“…(Cohen, 1995;Kernell, 1997;Light, 1991). This is supported by a large body of research which has demonstrated presidents have the ability to manipulate their public approval ratings by engaging in foreign and domestic trips, giving televised speeches, or townhall meetings (Brace & Hinckley, 1992Hinckley, 1990;Kernell, 1997;Ostrom & Simon, 1985, 1988Ragsdale, 1984Ragsdale, , 1987, or by simply being the leader of public opinion (Denton & Hahn, 1986;Edwards, 1983Edwards, , 1997Gelderman, 1995;Graber, 1982;Kernell, 1997;Light, 1991;Page & Shapiro, 1984, 1992Page, Shapiro, & Dempsey, 1987;Sigelman, 1980). Presidents use both of these means to influence the mass public in order to ultimately influence Congress (Cohen, 1995;Edwards & Wood, 1999), thus creating a feedback cycle that allows presidents to win passage of their legislation in Congress, the hallmark of a successful president (Brace & Hinckley, 1992Cohen, 1995;Hinckley, 1990;Ostrom & Simon, 1985, 1988Rivers & Rose, 1985;Warshaw, 2000).…”

Influence of the Presidential Inaugural Address on Audience Perceptions of Candidate Image and the State of the Nation

“…While the president speaks to citizens, the nation feels a sense of shared promise (Ragsdale, 1984). The success of the speech does not appear to be due to the style or speaking ability of the incoming president (Ragsdale, 1987); rather, the success of the speeches appears to rely on the audience's reaction (Lucas, 1988). The incoming president should leave the stage having brought the audience together as one.…”

“…Image effects overall. Ragsdale (1987) analyzed patterns of approval ratings for presidents in conjunction with different political events. This research discovered that following a presidential address, audiences are more willing to process and agree with the decisions presented by the speaker.…”

Legislating Crime Policy from the White House: Presidential Success with Congress in the Passage of Federal Crime Control Policy

“…Many studies have, in fact, demonstrated that presidents are able to influence public opinion (Cohen 1995;Denton and Hahn 1986;Edwards 1983;Gelderman 1995;Graber 1982;Kernell 1997;Mayer 1993;Shapiro 1984, 1992;Page et al 1987;Ragsdale 1984Ragsdale , 1987Sigelman 1980). These studies have shown that presidents are able to use speeches and other actions to influence the issues over which the public is concerned, thus generating support for their policy agenda.…”