Considering Prime Minister Kim Campbell of Canada as a case study, this article shows that newly selected leaders of governing parties in parliamentary systems can expect indulgent, depoliticized, less mediated press coverage following their selection as prime minister during a leadership convention. This type of coverage is shown to have a positive impact on the standing of the party. It is also demonstrated that popularity following a successful leadership convention is little guarantee of success during an eventual campaign because voters, candidates, and the press all fulfill different roles and operate within different environments during the various phases of the election cycle.
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