How have television and the rise of social media affected the relationship that the president has with the American public? Use examples where appropriate

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The ideal answer should:
a. Discuss that while radio changed the way the presidents were listened to, television fundamentally changed how they were viewed, drawing on the presidency of John F. Kennedy: the oft-told story of his 1960 debate victory, the fact that much of the appeal of the Kennedy presidency had to do with the visual aura of his presidency,and how his tenure in office underscored the importance of being television ready.
b. Explain the practical benefit in using television as a method to bypass legislators and speak directly to the American public, drawing on the examples of Truman's speech on military support for Turkey and Greece, and the Reagan media team using television to augment the president's image and to control the media narrative presented to the country.
c. Analyze how the rise of social media has given presidents little choice but to engage the media and how it also has allowed recent presidents to cultivate an even closer relationship with the American public, an example of which is Barack Obama and his use of Twitter and the Web.