The student might consider E.B. Andrews, History of the United States, from
the earliest discovery of America to the present time. The later editions have
chapters on each Presidency and the issues that Andrews believed important in
each campaign. In these, he argues the differing perceptions of the voters
as the campaigns progressed. I am not certain if this will fully address what
this student is looking for, but the comprehensive nature of Andrews'
discussion may be useful.
Kirk Johnson