Emerging from the 1960s, television has played a significant role in presidential elections. Television has given rise to a new era of presidencies in which they take the form of actors. Indeed, the media has made presidential elections less fair, but they have made them more accessible. Impacting the public on a larger scale than ever before in speeches and debates, presidents are expected to appear as personable as possible. Therefore, in the media age, image has become more influential on politics. Since the mid-1900s, television has been a common pastime in American households. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Through television, Americans from different areas could see the American political world, something few had been able to see before this innovation. Campbell states that television has made “a new contribution to the political life of the nation. Large segments of the public had a new, immediate contact with political events." (Source A) This is especially true according to the data provided in Source D, which indicates that a larger population of the public watches presidential debates, thus indicating that the public is more engaged in our politics. According to Source A and Source D, it is evident that television has ultimately served to create a more accessible approach to public involvement in the country's politics. One fact both sides can agree on is that television remains increasingly influential and has skewed elections. as society knows it. This fact is not debatable. Television has made elections more accessible to all Americans. With this increased accessibility to presidential elections comes all the negative effects, false ideal candidates, and neglect of politics. It is clear that, thanks to the implementation of television in our elections, it has been demonstrated that the image of presidential candidates has taken precedence over politics. Menand states that "Kennedy's 'victory' in the debates was largely a triumph of image over content." (Source C) This is a direct statement supporting the fact that image has reigned supreme in the television age. Then again, Hart states that, “because of the celebrity television system, presidents are…often judged by standards previously used to evaluate rock singers and movie stars.” (Source B) This also shows how the media has led to presidents being persecuted into unjust perspectives of our society “…due to the media’s grimly cynical worldview.” (Source B) Due to the radicalism that comes from the media it is clear why television can be partly dangerous. Instead of pursuing content vital to the United States, presidents have instead caused our society to be blinded by irrelevant aspects of our elections. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Customize EssayThe office of president was radically influenced by the invention and mass consumption of television. It started from the preconception that the candidates who ran their campaigns are vain and developed into the modern campaign strategy we see in our media today. Television has caused presidents to value image over politics, but regardless it is American society that causes this.