Candidates on Television: The 1972 Electoral Debates in West Germany

In: Public opinion quarterly: journal of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, Band 45, Heft 3, S. 329-345

Abstract

Findings of an exploration of the nature & effects of the campaign debates held in the Federal Republic of Germany in 1972 indicate that the debates were bruising personal battles that emphasized issues & ethics. While they did not have any direct effects on either candidate perceptions or issue salience, there is evidence that they may have had some important indirect effects on the electorate's ultimate voting choices. 5 Tables. AA.