Analyzes concession speeches by defeated presidential candidates from 1952 to 1992 to show consistent patterns of strategy, style, and content. Explains that the candidate's dilemma is resolved in the concession speech by an elaborate periphrasis that converts the combative energy of defeat into metaphors of sport, chivalry, and epic quest. (TB)

Reports on an exploratory, interpretive study of campaign rhetoric, specifically the discourse surrounding opinion polls. Analyzes how candidates, their managers, and journalists reacted to polling results during the 1992 presidential race. Finds that political actors reify public opinion by speaking of survey data as though it were independent of…

Presents a case study of the media coverage of the 1992 presidential campaign of Larry Agran. Explains that there are three ways of thinking about whether a candidate should be covered or not: national journalistic logic, local journalistic logic, and public logic. Suggests that the three ways are not always in agreement. (TB)