The Perfect Tie: The True Story of the 2000 Presidential Election

by James W. Ceaser, Andrew E. Busch

In The Perfect Tie: The True Story of the 2000 Presidential Election, James W. Ceaser and Andrew E. Busch continue their study of national elections and their broader implications for American politics and society. With groundbreaking research of electoral politics and penetrating discussions of divided government, independent candidates, party platforms, realignment theory, the electoral college, and campaign strategies, Ceaser and Busch attempt to make sense of the 2000 presidential election. By separating myth from fact in presidential contests and by emphasizing the significance of frequently overlooked issues, such as foreign policy, this book is essential reading for courses in American Government, Campaigns and Elections, and Presidential Politics, as well as for any American interested in the real and lasting importance of the 2000 elections.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Blaine Welgraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I'm not like George W. Bush. If he wins or loses, life goes on. I'll do anything to win."

--Al Gore, Newsweek, What a Long, Strange Trip, November 20th, 2000, p. 30.

"If this doesn't work out, I've got a life."

--George W. Bush, Ibid.

“Gore’s appeal was reminiscent of the Reagan campaign of 1984 and the Clinton campaign of 1996. The logic of such a campaign accords with the theory of voting behavior known as ‘retrospective voting.’ This theory holds voters, in making their decisions, look back on the performance of the person or party in office and then ask how the incumbent or incumbent party has done.”

— James W. Caeser • Andrew Busch, The Perfect Tie

First-rate psephological analysis, evenhanded, with an excellent feel for the forgotten nuances and phases of the campaign. While not the primary focus of The Perfect Tie, an unshakeable profile of each candidate also emerges, perhaps more vividly than in any election analysis I've read. I’ll return to this series soon.

[Fred Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I was looking for a balanced review and analysis of the 2000 election. It's possible this is the most balanced account at this time, but I still detected bias.

I give the authors credit for supplying footnotes with citations to back up their facts or to give credit to other analyses they cite.

However, I think a lot was left out about the 2000 election, mostly negatives about George W. Bush. The book is thorough in describing the defects in Al Gore's personality and campaign, but gives Bush kind of a pass.

There is no mention of the push-polls that Bush used against McCain. There is no mention of the glee with which Bush described executions (which disturbed many of us at the time). There is no description of Bush's non-specific responses during the debates. I remember all of these things, but the book is much harder on Gore.

I'm not saying that Gore doesn't deserve the criticism, but why are they being so easy on Bush?

[Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great analysis of the 2000 USA election including data.

[Stanley Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining education of the 2000 presidential election.