| ID | 121813 |
| Title Proper | Military experience in elections and perceptions of issue competence |
| Other Title Information | an experimental study with television ads |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Teigen, Jeremy M |
| Publication | 2013. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | An enduring assumption exists in the United States that past military service casts electoral candidates in a positive light. To demonstrate how voters understand candidates' military experiences, it is necessary to understand how their attitudes about a candidate change when exposed to biographic information. This study uses an experimental design to evaluate whether voters see candidates with a military background as better able to handle defense and security issues, are more capable leaders, and whether voters express higher affect toward veteran candidates. Using manipulated television advertising and handbills from an actual election, along with variation of the party information about the candidate, this study finds that voters are unmoved in their impressions of leadership and their affect toward a candidate with military experience. However, potential voters report markedly higher evaluations of candidates' ability to handle defense and security issues when exposed to the military cue, irrespective of party affiliation. |
| `In' analytical Note | Armed Forces and Society Vol. 39, No.3; Jul 2013: p.415-433 |
| Journal Source | Armed Forces and Society Vol. 39, No.3; Jul 2013: p.415-433 |
| Key Words | Military Experience ; Veterans ; Elections ; Issue Competence |