The 1996 US presidential election and the reelection of the Republican Congress are analyzed through multiple lenses. This book, a sequel to Democracy's Feast: Elections in America, utilizes data from the National Election Study to examine the contextual factors influencing these electoral outcomes. It investigates voter realignment, the role of partisanship and candidate characteristics, the impact of ideology and specific issues, voter turnout dynamics, public trust in governing institutions, campaign finance strategies, and the influence of media innovations on the electorate.

This book is positioned as a timely analysis of the 1996 US elections, building upon previous work by the same research group. The approach, rooted in National Election Study data, suggests a rigorous, data-driven examination of electoral behavior. The scope covers key elements of political science, including partisanship, ideology, and media influence, indicating a focus on providing a comprehensive understanding of the factors shaping the outcomes.