The pressures of contemporary electioneering force political professionals into 'campaign mode'a state of mind that merges a visceral drive to win elections with a deep-seated habit of strategic thinking. Wise political professionals know the basic rules of electoral strategy and how to read the political terrain. Campaign Mode examines the strategic histories of five successful congressional candidatesOhio's Ted Strickland, Georgia's Bob Barr, California's Loretta Sanchez, Tennessee's Harold Ford, Jr., and Pennsylvania's Rick Santorum. The authorsboth of whom have advised major political figurescombine original interviews, survey data, historical investigation, and first-hand observation of the candidates to reveal the inner workings of electoral politics. They demonstrate that campaigns do matter and show readers how to think like political professionals.

Michael John Burton is assistant professor of political science at Ohio University. Daniel M. Shea is associate professor of political science at Allegheny College.

Chapter 1 Campaign Mode and Professional UnderstandingChapter 2 Strategic EffectsChapter 3 Build Strong Connections with the Electorate: Ted Strickland, Sixth District of OhioChapter 4 Hammer at the Opponent's Weak Point: Bob Barr, Seventh District of GeorgiaChapter 5 Defy Conventional Wisdom: Loretta Sanchez, Forty-Sixth District of CaliforniaChapter 6 Gain the Center without Losing the Base: Harold Ford Jr., Ninth District of TennesseeChapter 7 Preempt the Challenge: Rick Santorum, PennsylvaniaChapter 8 Conclusion: Campaign Mode Revisited