Garrett 58
APPENDIX
HOW POLITICAL PROFESSIONALS DEFINE CAMPAIGN CRISES
CODING SCHEME FOR INTERVIEWS QUESTION 1
Frame
Description
(only coded if
described as fitting
Q1 crisis definition by
interviewees)
Crisis components within
frame
(as expressed by interview
subjects)
Sample key
words/phrases
associated with
frame
(variations in
phrasing allowed)
Notes
Typology
dimensions
Attack
Refers to crises in the
form of public attacks
against a
candidate/campaign
from opposing
candidates/campaigns
or groups; often
includes political
advertising
1. Public media
campaigns/statements
negatively portraying the
candidate or campaign or
the candidate’s credibility,
character or other
professional or personal
traits
2. Attack/negative ads
against the candidate
3. Attempts by opponents
to disrupt the campaign (i.e.
altering the campaign plan
for the campaign under
attack)
Attack, advertising,
ads, against, hitting
[the
candidate/campaign]
1. Distinct from
“candidate-created”
frame in that the
“attack” frame is
refers to offensive
tactics from
opponents, even if
based on internal
candidate-created
behavior.
2. Often interacts
(especially
externally) with
“media” crises frame
and often results from
“candidate scandal”
and “candidate
political error.”
2. Poor internal
campaign advertising
falls under
“organization” frame.
Internal/external:
External
Expected/unexpected:
Normally
unexpected, although
expected in cases of
known vulnerabilities
or “constant crisis”
mentality
Convention