Debatable Humor: Laughing Matters on the 2008 Presidential Primary Campaign

By Patrick A. Stewart

Book Overview

Debatable Humor represents the first systematic foray into understanding the use of humor by politicians on the campaign trail. Using content analysis of primary debates for both Republican and Democratic parties during the 2008 presidential election, Patrick A. Stewart considers not just how humor was used, who used it, and how successful these attempts at humor were, but he also gives readers insight regarding why humor and the laughter that results is an important part of politics. Not only can humor reveal a candidate's intelligence, values, personality, and his/her connection with the audience, it also reveals the underlying values of egalitarian political systems.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0739166972
• ISBN13: 9780739166970
• Release Date: March 2012
• Publisher: Lexington Books
• Length: 148 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 22 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher