ABSTRACT
This study reveals the generally negative tone of print reporting and analysis of the Carter presidency. The negative journalistic interpretations of the Carter presidency are evidenced by both judgmental press commentary and the discussions of Carter White House communications advisers. What were the bases of journalists' negative evaluations of the Carter presidency? How did these journalists define the leadership task? In this concluding chapter I turn to these important questions. I begin by identifying and discussing intellectual and contextual influences on journalists' assessments of the Carter presidency. I then analyze the differing values and criteria journalists relied upon in their judgments of the Carter presidency. I close by discussing the implications of my findings for the modern presidency.
