Going Public

Going Public examines how modern U.S. presidents use public appeals and rhetoric to advance their political agendas. Samuel Kernell analyzes the evolution of presidential communication strategies from the early republic through the television and digital ages. The book tracks key shifts in how presidents engage with citizens and Congress, documenting the rise of what Kernell terms "going public" - the practice of bypassing Washington institutions to rally public support. Through case studies and data, Kernell demonstrates how different presidents have employed public outreach tactics with varying degrees of success. Historical analysis reveals how technological changes and media developments have transformed presidential communication over time. The research draws on presidential speeches, press coverage, polling data, and behind-the-scenes accounts to illustrate the growing importance of public opinion in American governance. This influential work raises fundamental questions about the changing nature of presidential power and democratic representation in an era of mass communication. The dynamics Kernell identifies continue to shape debates about executive leadership and institutional relationships in American politics.

Readers value the book's detailed analysis of how presidents use public communication strategies to achieve policy goals. Students and academics appreciate the clear writing style and strong examples from multiple administrations. Liked: - Clear framework for understanding presidential communication - Historical case studies spanning multiple presidencies - Data and evidence supporting key arguments - Useful for both academic research and classroom teaching Disliked: - Some find later chapters repetitive - Some content feels dated (pre-social media era) - Academic tone can be dry for general readers Reviews: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (36 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (15 ratings) "A thorough examination that helped me understand modern presidential communication tactics" - Goodreads reviewer "Worth reading but could use an updated edition covering recent changes in media/technology" - Amazon reviewer "The theoretical framework holds up well but examples need refreshing" - Political Science reviewer on JSTOR

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🔷 Samuel Kernell's research revealed that while Theodore Roosevelt was considered the first "rhetorical president," Woodrow Wilson actually gave more speeches during his first term than TR did in his entire presidency. 🔷 The term "going public" was first coined in political science during the 1960s to describe when presidents bypass Congress by appealing directly to the American people for support. 🔷 The book demonstrates that before modern transportation and mass media, presidents rarely left Washington D.C. during their terms - James Monroe was the first to conduct a nationwide tour in 1817. 🔷 Kernell shows that Franklin D. Roosevelt revolutionized presidential communication by using radio so effectively that his "Fireside Chats" reached about 60% of American households - a level of direct access to citizens that previous presidents could only dream about. 🔷 The research establishes that modern presidents spend approximately 50% of their time in office engaged in public activities and appearances, compared to less than 10% for presidents in the 19th century.