News Media Coverage of the Vice-Presidential Selection Process
What's Wrong with the "Veepstakes"?
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“In this important volume, Devine examines how the media describe potential candidates when covering the ‘veepstakes,’ and he insightfully critiques the media’s relative focus on electoral versus governing considerations.”
—Herbert F. Weisberg, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, The Ohio State University, USA
“Well-written and full of fascinating details…. I loved this book and learned a lot from it. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it.”
—Karine Prémont, Professor of Political Science, University of Sherbrooke and Deputy Director, Center for United States Studies, University of Québec, Montréal, Canada
“A must-read for anyone who is interested in developing a greater understanding of political media coverage, vice-presidential selection, and American electoral politics.”—Andrew D. Green, Behavioral Sciences Department Chair and Professor of Political Science, Central College, USA
This book provides the first systematic, empirical analysis of the media’s approach to US vice-presidential selection (or the “veepstakes”). In their news coverage, Devine finds that media outlets typically treat vice-presidential selection as little more than a game—by focusing on how potential running mates might help to win the election, rather than how they might help the next president to govern. Based on an original content analysis of hundreds of veepstakes profiles from 2000–2020, this book quantifies the news media’s relative emphasis on various selection criteria, in general and across different electoral circumstances. The analysis suggests that journalists generally fail to serve the public interest by emphasizing electoral over governing considerations. However, Devine also points to positive examples of media coverage that help the public to evaluate potential running mates’ governing credentials, and suggests ways in which scholars, journalists, and citizens might encourage media outlets toprovide more substantive, responsible coverage of the vice-presidential selection process in future elections.
Christopher J. Devine is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Dayton, USA. His previous books include Do Running Mates Matter? The Influence of Vice Presidential Candidates in Presidential Elections (2020).
This book provides the first systematic, empirical analysis of the media’s approach to US vice-presidential selection (or the “veepstakes”). In their news coverage, Devine finds that media outlets typically treat vice-presidential selection as little more than a game—by focusing on how potential running mates might help to win the election, rather than how they might help the next president to govern. Based on an original content analysis of hundreds of veepstakes profiles from 2000–2020, this book quantifies the news media’s relative emphasis on various selection criteria, in general and across different electoral circumstances. The analysis suggests that journalists generally fail to serve the public interest by emphasizing electoral over governing considerations. However, Devine also points to positive examples of media coverage that help the public to evaluate potential running mates’ governing credentials, and suggests ways in which scholars, journalists, and citizens might encourage media outlets to provide more substantive, responsible coverage of the vice-presidential selection process in future elections.
Demonstrates that the news media devote too much attention to electoral considerations evaluating VP candidates Explains the importance of veepstakes media coverage, highlighting the media’s role in vetting candidates Provides the first systematic analysis of veepstakes media coverage, a novel dataset of such coverage
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Christopher J. Devine
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“A third of American Presidents have previously served as the nation’s Vice President. Yet, there has been little attention to the considerations involved in the selection of Vice-Presidential candidates. In this important volume, Devine examines how the media describe potential candidates when covering the “veepstakes,” and he insightfully critiques the media’s relative focus on electoral versus governing considerations.” (Herbert F. Weisberg, The Ohio State University)
“This book, which is well-written and full of fascinating details, provides a rich and original empirical analysis of media coverage of the vice-presidential selection process since 2000. Devine shows that the electoral strengths of prospective candidates are still the most prevalent topics put forward by the media—to the detriment of the governing qualifications of the candidates, though those factors are becoming increasingly important in the selection of running mates due to the growing influence of vice presidents. Devine’s rigorous analysis will improve scholars' understanding of the workings of the media and their effects on voters’ perceptions, especially since it offers suggestions to encourage more balanced coverage of the various selection criteria at the heart of this process. I loved this book and learned a lot from it. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it.” (Karine Prémont, University of Sherbrooke and Center for United States Studies at the University of Québec in Montréal)
“Christopher Devine’s volume on media coverage of the “Veepstakes” makes an important contribution to the political science literature on vice-presidential selection. Devine finds that media coverage of vice-presidential selection focuses more on electoral factors versus governing factors, which has implications for the information voters have in American presidential elections. The volume is a must read for anyone who is interested in developing a greater understanding of political media coverage, vice-presidential selection, and American electoral politics.” (Andrew D. Green, Central College)
“Devine insightfully blends research on media effects with an innovative analysis of data from decades of coverage of dozens of potential candidates for vice president. This book presents a strong, empirically grounded challenge to the way much of political media covers vice presidential selection, and should serve as a starting point for rethinking that coverage. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to be prepared for the 2024 veepstakes.” (Christopher J. Galdieri, Professor of Politics, Saint Anselm College)
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