A provocative evaluation of recent electoral trends––distrust of government, desire for a renewal of the American dream, decreasing voter turnout, support for self-government, debate over the shape of political conflict––which McWilliams characterizes as a politics of disappointment. Includes the latest research on elections and an incisive analysis of the Clinton years and the impeachment trial.

Preface

1. Introduction

2. Presidential Leadership and Changing Parties: The Election of 1980
The Failure of Primaries
The Democrats: The Necessity of Party
The New Deal Coalition and the New Deal Family
The Republicans and the New Conservatives

3. Old Virtues, New Magic: The Election of 1984
Reagan and the Politics of the Electronic Age
Leadership: Old Values and New America
The Democratic Prospect
After 1984

4. Enchantment's Ending: The Election of 1988
Public Life and Private Media
The Parties and the Nominations
Politics and Memory
Liberalism, Politics, and Economics
Liberalism, Values, and Community
Toward Public Renewal

5. Thinking about Tomorrow Worriedly: The Election of 1992
Economic Disorder and the American Civil Order
The Skeptical Search for an Active Government
Public Life and Private Politics
The State of the Political Parties
Social Issues: The Democrats and Race
Social Issues: The Republicans and Religion
The Emerging American Politics

6. Uncertainty at Midcrossing: The Election of 1996
Clinton's Victory: The Uncertain Economy
Clinton's Victory: The Uncertain Community
Republican Alternatives, Democratic Responses
Politics and the American Future

7. Beyond Disappointment? Exhaustion and Hope in the Elections of 1998

Appendixes
A. The 1980 Presidential Vote
B. The 1984 Presidential Vote
C. The 1988 Presidential Vote
D. The 1992 Presidential Vote
E. The 1996 Presidential Vote

Notes
Index