Synthesis Essay On Presidential Elections

Adejoke Atitebi, Mithsuca Berry

Ap Language and Composition

Synthesis Essay 1

Television has been known to the world, as early as the 1920s, for providing the viewing public several mediums of entertainment. In the 1960s, its purpose transformed into one greater than watching people dancing, acting or telling jokes- it became a political platform. Throughout history, television has been an influential part of the presidential elections in the United States. TV can be used as a tool to give Americans a glimpse into the process and person they choose to elect to be the head of the country by exposing them to the ideals, statements, and behavior of Presidential candidates.

A key element in the election process, is finding who one should support

The president is a government official will be the face of the country, so it is expected that the people of the United States inquire information about the person who is supposed to be a representation of their beliefs. At the start of the nation, the U.S. was significantly smaller in population and size. The elected candidates were often known amongst the people as influential scholars or soldiers. The U.S. has grown larger and the public being able to personally know and connect with a presidential candidate is very uncommon. Dr. Stanton, president of the Columbia Broadcasting System, is quoted in saying, “As [the United States] grew, we lost this feeling of direct contact” (“Has Television Reshaped Politics?”) with presidential candidates. Television acts as a medium to bring contact between public and president again. Television not only reestablishes that connection the public had to candidates but it also provides a platform to candidates to articulate their views and values. People being able to view possible government figures and figuratively have them in their homes (on their TVs) builds a relationship; this bond is needed for people to place their trust in a stranger who would assume control of their life and rights (as a resident of the country). It is often beneficial for presidents or presidential candidates to present themselves in a more casual and relatable manner; this allows the public to understand and relate to the candidates. Some may see this as a hinderance to Presidents and presidential candidates’ role and image as government officials, an earnest and pensive job. Roderick Hart and Mary Triece discuss the reconstruction of the President’s image due to television's “celebrity system;” Presidents are being stripped of their “distinctiveness as social actors” and are being treated and evaluated