Politics of Authenticity in Presidential Campaigns, 1976-2008

Ideas of ""authenticity,"" the dominant cultural value of the baby boom generation, became central to presidential campaigns in the late 20th century. Beginning in 1976, Americans elected six presidents who represented evolving standards of authenticity. Interacting with the media and their publics, these successful presidential candidates structured their campaigns and images around the projection of authenticity and connecting with voters as ""one of us."" In the process, they rewrote the political playbook, redefined ""presidentiality,"" and changed the terms of national political discourse. This book is predicated on the assumption that it is worth knowing why.