Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Gender Gap In The 1996 Presidential Election:An Examination Of Gender Gaps In Public Opinion And Political Communication, Nicole Kroetsch

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

The gender gap in the electorate was highlighted as a distinguishing feature of the presidential election in 1996. Because it was recognized as such an important political phenomenon, citizens, politicians, political strategists and journalists offered explanations for its existence. Two common explanations surfaced: women and men voted differently because they cared about different public issues and women and men voted differently because they responded differently to the communication styles of the candidates. When examining these claims within the specific context of the presidential campaign of 1996, their validity is challenged by solid research. Although there were some political issues, such …