Religion, Race, and the American Presidency

by Gaston Espinosa, Brian Robert Calfano, David G. Dalin, Paul A. Djupe Gustavus Adolphus College, Gastón Espinosa

Overview

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, Gastón 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742563223
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/16/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	376
Product dimensions:	6.09(w) x 9.07(h) x 0.91(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Evangelicals and the American Presidency
Corwin Smidt
Chapter 2: Mainline Protestants and the American Presidency
Laura R. Olsen and Adam L. Warber
Chapter 3: Catholics and the American Presidency
David C. Leege
Chapter 4: Seculars and the American Presidency
Lyman A. Kellstedt
Chapter 5: Women, Religion, and the American Presidency
Katherine E. Stenger
Chapter 6: Jews and the American Presidency
David G. Dalin
Chapter 7: Muslims and the American Presidency
Brian Robert Calfano, Paul A. Djupe, and John C. Green
Chapter 8: Asian Americans, Religion, and the American Presidency
So Young Kim
Chapter 9: African Americans, Religion, and the American Presidency
Melissa V. Harris-Lacewell
Chapter 10: Latinos, Religion, and the American Presidency
Gaston Espinosa

Editorial Reviews

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

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 "

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

From the Publisher

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

Adds a great deal to an understanding of how a variety of ethnicities and systems of belief affect U.S. politics. Recommended.

CHOICE - T. T. Gibson

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

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

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

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

Adds a great deal to an understanding of how a variety of ethnicities and systems of belief affect U.S. politics. Recommended.

Choice Reviews - T. T. Gibson