Candidate campaign e-mail messages in the presidential election 2004

Candidate e-mail messages play an increasing role in online, candidate-controlled media. E-mail messages allow candidates to directly contact voters, serving as political marketing tools. This study content analyzed the universe of campaign e-mail messages (N = 78) from the Bush and Kerry campaigns during the general cycle of the 2004 presidential election. Results indicate that as key election events drew near, candidates increased the number of e-mail messages they sent. Direct address (using you) in the e-mail messages occurred at a statistically significant higher level than expected. Candidates used e-mail messages for promotion more often than opponent attacks. The study also investigated issue coverage, message strategy, and interactivity. The findings indicate that e-mail messages are potent instruments because they can be forwarded to myriad nonsubscribers. As such, candidate e-mail messages can be considered a form of viral marketing that offers a unique way to overcome the problem of selective exposure.