David Holian is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.Charles L. Pyrsby is Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

"Character Traits in Presidential Elections is an extraordinary analysis that contributes a new level of understanding to an area much discussed but relatively neglected by social scientists. The personal qualities and character perceptions of presidential candidates are assumed to affect voter decision-making. Precisely how and of what degree of importance compared to other influences has been a murky area for interpretation. This is no longer the case. Holian and Prysby assess how such qualities impact the vote; what shapes and influences the development of such attributes; and the type of voter most likely to perceive individual personalities as determined of the vote. They do it with style and an in-depth familiarity with their subjects that in itself provides a good read. This is an exceptionally sophisticated study, one that fills a major void in our analysis of voting behavior. It should be required reading for all students of elections and the forces that serve to shape the outcomes"—William Crotty, Thomas P. O'Neill Chair in Public Life and Professor of Political Science at Northeastern University."Everyone knows that candidate character matters in presidential elections but until now political scientists have not shown how, when and why it matters. This book by Charles Prysby and David Holian finally provides answers to these critical questions. It should be must reading for anyone interested in understanding the way American presidents are chosen."—Alan I. Abramowitz, Emory University

• 1. Candidate Character Traits in Presidential Elections 2. Conceptualizing and Measuring Candidate Character Traits 3. Voter Perceptions of Candidate Character Traits 4. The Impact of Candidate Character Trait Perceptions on the Vote 5. The Formation of Candidate Character Trait Perceptions 6. Candidate Character Traits in the 2012 Presidential Election 7. Media Consumption, Character Trait Perceptions, and Voting 8. May the Best Person Win

David Holian is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.Charles L. Pyrsby is Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

"Character Traits in Presidential Elections is an extraordinary analysis that contributes a new level of understanding to an area much discussed but relatively neglected by social scientists. The personal qualities and character perceptions of presidential candidates are assumed to affect voter decision-making. Precisely how and of what degree of importance compared to other influences has been a murky area for interpretation. This is no longer the case. Holian and Prysby assess how such qualities impact the vote; what shapes and influences the development of such attributes; and the type of voter most likely to perceive individual personalities as determined of the vote. They do it with style and an in-depth familiarity with their subjects that in itself provides a good read. This is an exceptionally sophisticated study, one that fills a major void in our analysis of voting behavior. It should be required reading for all students of elections and the forces that serve to shape the outcomes"—William Crotty, Thomas P. O'Neill Chair in Public Life and Professor of Political Science at Northeastern University."Everyone knows that candidate character matters in presidential elections but until now political scientists have not shown how, when and why it matters. This book by Charles Prysby and David Holian finally provides answers to these critical questions. It should be must reading for anyone interested in understanding the way American presidents are chosen."—Alan I. Abramowitz, Emory University

• 1. Candidate Character Traits in Presidential Elections 2. Conceptualizing and Measuring Candidate Character Traits 3. Voter Perceptions of Candidate Character Traits 4. The Impact of Candidate Character Trait Perceptions on the Vote 5. The Formation of Candidate Character Trait Perceptions 6. Candidate Character Traits in the 2012 Presidential Election 7. Media Consumption, Character Trait Perceptions, and Voting 8. May the Best Person Win

David Holian is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.Charles L. Pyrsby is Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

"Character Traits in Presidential Elections is an extraordinary analysis that contributes a new level of understanding to an area much discussed but relatively neglected by social scientists. The personal qualities and character perceptions of presidential candidates are assumed to affect voter decision-making. Precisely how and of what degree of importance compared to other influences has been a murky area for interpretation. This is no longer the case. Holian and Prysby assess how such qualities impact the vote; what shapes and influences the development of such attributes; and the type of voter most likely to perceive individual personalities as determined of the vote. They do it with style and an in-depth familiarity with their subjects that in itself provides a good read. This is an exceptionally sophisticated study, one that fills a major void in our analysis of voting behavior. It should be required reading for all students of elections and the forces that serve to shape the outcomes"—William Crotty, Thomas P. O'Neill Chair in Public Life and Professor of Political Science at Northeastern University."Everyone knows that candidate character matters in presidential elections but until now political scientists have not shown how, when and why it matters. This book by Charles Prysby and David Holian finally provides answers to these critical questions. It should be must reading for anyone interested in understanding the way American presidents are chosen."—Alan I. Abramowitz, Emory University

• 1. Candidate Character Traits in Presidential Elections 2. Conceptualizing and Measuring Candidate Character Traits 3. Voter Perceptions of Candidate Character Traits 4. The Impact of Candidate Character Trait Perceptions on the Vote 5. The Formation of Candidate Character Trait Perceptions 6. Candidate Character Traits in the 2012 Presidential Election 7. Media Consumption, Character Trait Perceptions, and Voting 8. May the Best Person Win