White Noise?: An Analysis of Presidential Crisis Speeches, The Rally-Around-Tthe-Flag-Effect, and Public Opinion

Author: Margaret Malone Swearingen
Graduation Year: 2004
Advisor: Diana Owen
Reader: Daniel McGroarty
Date: 17 January 2007
Link to Thesis: MargaretSwearingen.pdf

During a crisis, especially one that takes place on American soil, Americans turn to their president for guidance and re-assurance. This thesis explores the relationships between John E. Mueller’s rally-around-the-flag effect, presidential crisis speeches and public opinion. Using a two-stage process that includes a content analysis and a survey experiment setting, this thesis suggests that Mueller’s effect is not only real, but that it can be re-created long after a crisis has ended. This thesis also suggests that presidential crisis rhetoric does have a positive effect on the American population who either view or listen to the speeches.