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