Final answer:
The media's influence in political campaigns is strong, serving as a 'kingmaker' after the McGovern-Fraser reforms. Media coverage provides crucial name recognition for candidates and influences voters by showcasing both political stances and non-political traits. More media attention to national conventions could help voters make better-informed decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Role of Media in Political Campaigns
The relationship between media coverage and political campaigns is vital in shaping the perceptions and choices of voters. The media's role as a kingmaker in presidential elections has been underscored by the switch from a party leader-controlled system to a voter-controlled primary system following the McGovern-Fraser reforms in 1972. This shift has given the media a significant influence in highlighting candidates, where those with more media coverage often gain momentum leading to success in early primaries and caucuses. Media attention enables candidates to build name recognition, which is crucial as voters tend to avoid casting their votes for unknown individuals. Name recognition and media prominence can help politically inexperienced candidates stand out, as seen in the 2016 presidential nominating process where media-savvy candidates like Donald Trump gained an early advantage.
Candidates' physical attributes such as attractiveness or distinctive features and demographics also play a role in voters' decisions. Nevertheless, while debates have rules preventing the alteration of physical appearance, a candidate's visuals remain an important aspect of their public perception. Attention to these non-political traits can influence election outcomes, as was evident in the significant interest in candidates like Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John McCain during their respective campaigns.
Increasing the media's focus on national conventions could potentially aid voters in making informed decisions about the candidate they wish to support. Increased media coverage provides voters with more comprehensive insights into the policies, character, and vision of the candidates, thereby facilitating a more informed electoral choice.