University of Michigan Press Informing a Nation: The Newspaper Presidency of Thomas Jefferson

Product Description During his presidency, Thomas Jefferson both sponsored and wrote for his own newspaper, the National Intelligencer and Washington Adviser. The newspaper spoke on behalf of his policies and those of his Republican, anti-federalist party, the Democratic-Republican Party, the precursor to today's Democrats. Author Mel Laracey focuses on the newspaper's message during Jefferson's first term, showing how the third president used media to promote his administration and its goals against their political rivals, the Federalists. Informing a Nation shows how Jefferson and his allies dealt with political challenges, reveals hitherto unexamined aspects of the early presidency, and raises broad questions of the relationship between the presidency and media today. Review "... Laracey vividly describes how the third president used the newspaper to promote his administration and its goals and objectives against those of his Federalist rivals... this perceptive study contributes to readers' understanding of Jefferson, party formation, and presidential leadership" - Choice Connect-- "Choice Connect" About the Author Mel Laracey is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio.