Blue Smoke and Mirrors

Two veteran political columnists, Witcover and Germond, provide intriguing information on the strategists and politicians who masterminded the 1980 election campaigns. The authors argue that uncontrollable and unforeseeable events rather than issues determined the victor of this election. The authors include coverage on the campaigns of Teddy Kennedy, Howard baker, Robert Dole and John Anderson. I recommend this book for its seemingly unbiased look. A must for any interested in U.S. Presidential Campaigns.

This straightforward account of the 1980 race for the Presidency recreates events and the state of the USA in vivid yet concise detail. The authors show the naked manipulation, dirty moves, and diverging media coverage that was part of U.S. politics. Readers see that President Jimmy Carter was decent and honest (despite a mean streak) but his grip seemed uncertain as gas prices soared and hostages sat in Tehran. Carter beat back Ted Kennedy's primary challenge, but was not in a strong position for the fall campaign. His challenger Ronald Reagan swept easily to the nomination at age 69, but a series of foolish utterances left many questioning his fitness for the job. Congressman John Anderson's third-party candidacy started strong (23 percent in June polls), but without funds he faded fast. In the end, inflation, hostages, and Carter's low approval ratings led to an easy win for Reagan. The authors wrote four straight books on U.S. Presidential campaigns from 1980-1992, and Whitcover wrote a very good narrative (Marathon) alone in 1976. This is a solid and straightforward narrative for history fans and political junkies.

Like everything written by politics' dynamic duo, this book is excellent. Witcover and Germond wrote books on Presidential elections from 1976 to 1992, taking off from where White left off (the Carter/Ford book is actually Witcover alone). This one is about Carter Reagan, and it is fabulous. It's a nuts and bolts horse race book, and one of the finest of the type. The description of Reagan as a bumbler with no real vision will surprise those who imagine that Reagan was perceived as some sort of political giant in his time. The depiction of Carter as the ineffective moderate challenged on the left by Te Kennedy will also surprise readers not familiar with the times. Although it is all excellent, the account of Kennedy's sputtering inarticulate attempt to unseat Carter is probably the best part, also notable is the treatment of the early Republican battles (although I could would have liked to here more about the lessor Republicans in the field, especially Phil Crane). Also of interest to those outside the political mainstream is Anderson's mistreatment by the political establishment. Needless to say, this presages similar troubles suffered by Perot and Nader in later elections, especially the debate committees refusal to consider a debate until his numbers had fallen down enough that he could be excluded under their rules. This action renders the sham democracy of America naked. Read It. A

This tightly edited classic wisely uses a straightforward, chronological approach in bringing the 1980 Presidential election to vivid life. It is not overly long as these authors' book on Bush vs Dukakis '88 election was. Well worth the hassleof buying used. Carter's lack of political instincts and his often contradictory personality (usually conciliatory yet capacle of pettiness and vindictiveness) are well illustrated here. The '80 primary elections are wonderfully covered, even minor candidiates such as Howard Baker and Robert Dole are covered. Teddy Kennedy's only presidential campaign is thoroughly dissected. The authors evenhandedly cover the Reagan and Carter and (remember) John Anderson campaigns. Buy it!

These authors know politics like few others and this is a terrific book. An outstanding anaysis of an election, full of insight, intelligence, and the wisdom of experienced reporters.