An exciting and affordable new volume offering a unique perspective on the pivotal elections in U.S. history. The New York Times on Critical Elections is the fourth installment in the TimesReference from CQ Press imprint. Elections scholar Gerald Pomper has carefully chosen a variety of news articles, editorials, and data from The Times for which he has written context-providing narrative that discusses the key issues, historical impact, and turning points in these important presidential and congressional elections. The New York Times on Critical Elections will enhance students' understanding of U.S. government in history and civics classes. The TimesReference from CQ Press imprint, focusing on topics in American government, U.S. history, elections, Congress, the presidency, the Supreme Court, journalism, international affairs, current events, and public opinion, is designed to support high-school and college curricula and course work.

Negative campaigning is frequently denounced, but it is not well understood. Who conducts negative campaigns? Do they work? What is their effect on voter turnout and attitudes toward government? Just in time for an assessment of election 2004, two distinguished political scientists bring us a sophisticated analysis of negative campaigns for the Senate from 1992 to 2002. The results of their study are surprising and challenge conventional wisdom: negative campaigning has dominated relatively few elections over the past dozen years, there is little evidence that it has had a deleterious effect on our political system, and it is not a particularly effective campaign strategy. These analyses bring novel empirical techniques to the study of basic normative questions of democratic theory and practice.

True American heroes need not have superhuman abilities nor do they need to act alone. Heroism in a democracy is different from the heroism of myths and legends, writes Gerald Pomper in this original contribution to the literature of U.S. politics. Through the remarkable stories of eight diverse Americans who acted as heroes by "just doing their jobs" during national crises, he offers a provocative definition of heroism and fresh reasons to respect U.S. institutions and the people who work within them. This new paperback edition includes photographs, an introductory chapter on American heroism after 9/11, a survey of the meanings of heroism in U.S. popular culture, and an original concluding theory of "ordinary" heroism. The chapters cover these institutions, crises, and individuals:

An energizing and inspiring book about heroes, democracy, and their impact on each other. True American heroes need not have superhuman abilities nor do they need to act alone. Heroism in a democracy is different from the heroism of myths and legends, says Gerald M. Pomper in this original and thoughtful book. Through the remarkable stories of eight diverse Americans who acted as heroes during national crises, he offers a new definition of heroism and new reasons to respect American institutions and the people who work within them. Pomper describes how responsible, good individuals can emerge as heroes from such core democratic institutions as the House of Representatives, the Senate, the courts, the presidency, and the press. From the censure of Senator Joseph McCarthy to the prohibition of the dangerous drug thalidomide in the United States, American heroes "just doing their jobs" have played crucial roles in resolving national problems. Pomper considers why democratic heroism is unique and explores the special bond between America's political institutions and the heroes they empower.

Continuing a tradition of excellence in postelection analysis, Gerald M. Pomper leads a distinguished team of experts offering timely and insightful assessment of the first presidential election of the 21st century.After a relatively uneventful campaign season, the American electorate divided evenly between two similar candidates who raised and spent record sums of money. Election Day was followed by an unprecedented period of uncertainty that was finally resolved in a controversial judicial decision. How all this happened and why is discussed by this dynamic lineup of election specialists.Gerald M. Pomper (Rutgers University), author of Passions and Interests: Political Party Concepts of American Democracy.Anthony Corrado (Colby College), author of Campaign Finance Reform and Paying for Presidents.E. J. Dionne Jr. (Washington Post), author of Why Americans Hate Politics and They Only Look Dead.Kathleen A. Frankovic, Director of Surveys and producer, CBS News.Paul S. Herrnson (University of Maryland), author of Congressional Elections: Campaigning at Home and in WashingtonMarjorie Randon Hershey (Indiana University), author of Running for Office.William G. Mayer (Northeastern University), author of In Pursuit of the White House 2000: How We Choose Our Presidential Nominees.Monika L. McDermott, Manager of Surveys for CBS News for 2000 Election.Wilson Carey McWilliams (Rutgers University), author of Beyond the Politics of Disappointment: American Elections, 1980-1998.

The Political State of New Jersey, sponsored by the Eagleton Institute of Politics of Rutgers University, is a comprehensive analysis of contemporary New Jersey politics. The contributors to this volume are both academic specialists and experienced governmental figures. They have provided citizens of the state of New Jersey with an invaluable guide to political life in New Jersey. Gerald M. Pomper is Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University and the Eagleton Institute of Politics. He is a contributor to the two editions of Politics in New Jersey, author of Voters, Elections, and Parties, and coauthor of The Election of 1984.

As the troubled 20th century nears its end, democracy and competitive political parties are receiving renewed attention. Bridging analysis of political parties and political philosophy, ""Passions and Interests"" presents eight conceptual models of political parties with particular relevance to American democracy. Gerald Pomper asks three questions: what meanings are attributed to parties; empirically, to what extent do American parties fit these concepts; and, how well do these different models serve democratic interests? The analysis encompasses a broad range of individuals, including party theorists from Michels to Downs, practitioners such as Martin Van Buren and Woodrow Wilson, and political philosophers from Burke to Lenin. Beginning with Madison's definition, Pomper views parties as varying combinations of passions and interests. He examines, both empirically and normatively, models of party as bureaucratic organisation, governing caucus, cause advocate, ideological community, social movement, urban machine, rational office-seeking team, and personal faction. In further explorations, he analyses these party models in the light of the historical record and empirical data on American voting behaviour, then compares them to proposals for party reform in the United States. In conclusion, Pomper evaluates the contributions of US political parties to democratic values and presents a suggested program to strengthen the parties as institutions on American democracy. ""The growth of political parties and the extension of democracy proceed along parallel tracks"", Pomper contends. ""Competitive political parties facilitate, although they do not guarantee, a considerable measure of popular involvement, control, and policy determination. Without them, government is more likely to evidence authoritarianism, violence, and repression"".