Religion, Race, and the American Presidency

(Paperback)

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The role that race and religion play in American presidential elections is attracting national attention like never before. The 2008 presidential candidates reached out to an unprecedented number of racial and religious voting constituencies including African Americans, Latinos, Muslims, Mainline Protestants, Catholics, Evangelicals, Jews, women, the non-religious, and more. Religion, Race, and the American Presidency focuses on the roles of these racial and religious groups in presidential elections over the last forty years, and in elections since 2000 in particular. Drawing upon survey data, interviews, and case studies of recent presidents, the contributors examine the complicated relationships between American presidents and key racial and religious groups. The paperback edition features a new capstone chapter on the 2008 elections.

Contributions by Brian Robert Calfano, David G. Dalin, Paul A. Djupe, Gastn Espinosa, John C. Green, Melissa V. Harris-Lacewell, Lyman A. Kellstedt, So Young Kim, David C. Leege, Laura R. Olson, Corwin Smidt, Katherine E. Stenger, and Adam L. Warber.

Reviews

This is an important and timely study of the effects of race, religion, gender, and ethnic identity upon recent American presidential elections by a number of distinguished scholars in the field. Its analysis goes much deeper than mere numbers and percentages, and therefore illuminates significant cultural realities in contemporary American life. -- Garrett Ward Sheldon, Clinch Valley College, University of Virginia
Religion and race have proven to be contentious issues within U.S. presidential politics, and the contributors to this outstanding volume provide invaluable analysis on this subject that will be widely referenced for years to come. -- R Drew Smith, Morehouse College
This rich and excellent book throws a new light on the complex relationship between religion, race and the presidency. I plan to use it in my own classes. -- Isabelle Richet, Universit Paris-Diderot, France
Adds a great deal to an understanding of how a variety of ethnicities and systems of belief affect U.S. politics. Recommended. -- T. T. Gibson, Monmouth College * Choice Reviews *
This groundbreaking book explores the critical intersection of religion, race, pluralism, and gender in American presidential politics. I highly recommend it to anyone in the U.S. or abroad seeking to understand the critical role that key voting constituencies play in U.S. politics. -- Kjell O. Lejon, Linkping University, Sweden

Author Bio

Gaston Espinosa is the Arthur V. Stoughton Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Claremont McKenna College. He served as project manager of the $1.3 million Pew Charitable Trusts Hispanic Churches in American Public Life project and is the editor of several books on religion and politics.