Image of U.S. Presidential Administrations

The Cases of George W. Bush and Barack Obama

Contributions by António Marques Bessa, Pablo Biderbost, Guillermo Boscán, Susana Cabaço, Sandra Costa, Giselle De la Cruz, Sebastian Köhler, Maria do Céu Pinto, Adérito Vicente Edited by Célia Belim, Patricia Calca

Publication date:

14 December 2012

Length of book:

272 pages

Publisher

Lexington Books

ISBN-13: 9780739166840

This book analyzes the image of the U.S. presidential administrations from 2001 to 2011 and their political image in foreign countries. The authors focus on the European perception of U.S. presidencies, specifically during the terms of George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Political image is decisive in electoral victory and, more often, is central in the conquest and maintenance of political power. Political image is also highly relevant because of the credibility of the United States on the international stage, resulting in gained confidence and the celebration of profitable alliances. This study of political image has a crucial interdisciplinary framework fordisciplines such as communication, political science, and international relations.

Introduction
Chapter 1: Political Elites, Public Opinion, and Image Management: George W. Bush and Barack Obama Campaigns, and Administrations
Chapter 2: The Construction of George W. Bush Administration’s Image: A Content Analysis of his Speeches
Chapter 3: The Image of Barack Obama and his Administration in the Spanish Press
Chapter 4: The Image of Barack Obama and of his Administration in the International Media: The Case of Portuguese Media
Chapter 5: The Bush and Obama Administrations Seen by Islamists
Chapter 6: American Nuclear Strategy: The International Image and Public Opinion’s Management
Chapter 7:Presidential Speech-Making and Leadership Images in Times of Crisis: Bush vs. Obama

International approval is one of the basic conditions for the success of political action. The language and the communication analysis employed during the Bush and Obama presidencies collected in this volume provide with great rigor and clarity the European point of view. In particular, the specific reference to the Spanish, Portuguese, and above all Islamic perceptions amplifies the positive interest towards this book.