Presidential Persuasion on Social Issues: A Two-Way Street?

In: Political research quarterly: PRQ ; official journal of Western Political Science Association, Pacific Northwest Political Science Association, Southern California Political Science Association, Northern California Political Science Association, Band 56, Heft 1, S. 49-58

Abstract

Although the ability of presidents to mobilize opinion on foreign policy issues is well documented, much less is known about presidents' abilities to change public attitudes on social & moral issues. We explore the limits of presidential persuasiveness by examining President Clinton's 1993 proposal to permit gay men & lesbian women to serve openly in the armed forces. Because the issue involved core values & religious beliefs, we might expect Clinton to have been unable to change voter preferences. However, we find evidence of a reciprocal relationship. Clinton's support for the issue persuaded some members of the public to support the policy, even as it also caused others to think less favorably of him. 4 Tables, 1 Appendix, 29 References. Adapted from the source document.