This book examines the many ways religion influenced electoral politics in 1988, tracing the links between elites, activists, and voters in the major religious traditions. It focuses on the behavior of key voting blocs, including white evangelical and mainline Protestants, Catholics, and Jews.

"James L. Guth is professor of political science at Furman University, where he chairs the Department of Political Science. He has published extensively on interest groups, campaign finance, and religion and politics and is best known for his research on the politics of the Southern Baptist clergy.
John C. Green is associate professor of political science and director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron. His research interests include campaign finance and religion and politics."

Preface -- Religion in the 1988 Presidential Campaign -- Harvest of Discontent: Religion and Populism in the 1988 Presidential Campaign -- Religious Leaders and the 1988 Presidential Campaign -- From Candidates to Agenda Setters: Protestant Leaders and the 1988 Presidential Campaign -- Divided, Distracted, and Disengaged: Catholic Leaders and the 1988 Presidential Campaign -- Jewish Community Leaders and the 1988 Presidential Campaign -- Religion and Political Activists in the 1988 Campaign -- Pulpits and Politics: The Protestant Clergy in the 1988 Presidential Election -- Preachers and Politics: Jesse Jackson, Pat Robertson, and the 1988 Presidential Nomination Campaign in South Carolina -- Apostles and Apostates? Religion and Politics Among Party Activists -- Religion and the Electorate in 1988 -- Religious Tradition, Denomination, and Commitment: White Protestants and the 1988 Election -- Religion and Electoral Politics Among Black Americans in 1988 -- Catholic Voting Behavior in 1988: A Critical Swing Vote -- Jews and the 1988 Election: More of the Same?1 -- Religion and the Future of American Politics -- The Bible and the Ballot Box: The Shape of Things to Come