The Transformation of Going Public

President Clinton, the First Lady, and Health Care Reform

Bibliographic Data

ID6334203
AuthorsMatthew Corrigan (corresponding author)
Year2000
Volume17
Issue2
Pages149-168
Publication date2000-04-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePolitical Communication (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1058-4609 • E-ISSN: 1091-7675
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/105846000198459
OpenAlexW2067232110
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited11

This article examines the going public thesis in the context of U.S. President Clintons health care reform campaign in 1993 and 1994. This case study highlights the changing nature of presidential public relations. The novel use of the first lady as a public spokesperson for a presidential initiative also raises new questions about presidential public relations and its impact on congressional behavior. Data for the study include appearances and speeches by the president and first lady concerning health care reform over an 11-month period. Results suggest that certain presidential public activities assist presidents in gaining public support for their policies. However, most presidential public efforts may be thwarted by issue advertising from opponents in a more combative public environment. A going public strategy may not provide a forum to explain sophisticated policies and to build alliances in support of these policies over a substantial period of time

Context (archaeology · Health care · Health care reform · Political science · Politics · Presidential campaign · Presidential system · Public health · Public relations · Discourse Analysis in Language Studies · History · Law · Media Studies and Communication · Medicine · Public Administration · Rhetoric and Communication Studies · Health Policy

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