Abstract
ABSTRACTThe vast majority of published communication scholarship regarding political campaign debates focuses on the actions of the presidential candidates. Considerably less research, by comparison, has contributed to our understanding of the role of vice-presidential candidates. Experimental research has revealed that exposure to presidential debates can influence viewers’ political information efficacy, cynicism, polarization, and feeling thermometer evaluations of the candidates, but very little research examines the why behind these shifts. Based on a focus group of undecided voters who watched the 2016 vice-presidential debate, this study presents exploratory analysis of how a vice-presidential debate influences the political attitudes and behaviors of uncommitted voters. We first review prior research on the vice-presidential candidate's rhetorical role in the campaign as well as research on the impact of vice-presidential debates, followed by a description of our study's methodology, and conclude with an extended analysis of the 2016 vice-presidential debate arguments and how undecided voters responded.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
