Tell Newt to Shut Up!: Prizewinning Washington Post Journalists Reveal How Reality Gagged the Gingrich Revolution

I never really liked Newt and I was hoping this book was going to be 200 pages of more reasons to dislike him or at the least more facts to sustain my current dislike of his politics. The tittle sure said to me that that was the focus of the book, unfortunately for me that was not what the book turned out to be. The authors decided to review 1995 and the battles between Newt and the rest of the world on policy. It was interesting and well written but the book Showdown by Drew did a much better job of covering the period of time. With such a campy title I was looking for a lot of wit and humor and that really was not the strong point of the book. Overall the book lays out the facts in an easy to read way and it is well written, it just did not have the detail to make it the one complete record or the story and it did not have the sharp wit to make it satire.

From all aspects of the political spectrum left and right we should read this book and learn the cost of democracy. Newt Gingrich had a dream to spearhead a Republican Revolution and to bring it about as forcefully as possible. Unfortunately for him his nemisis William Jefferson Clinton knew how to counter him and how to do it well. The writing in this book is honest, and doesn't attempt to take sides. Anyone who truly wants to know why Congressman Gingrich exited from public life, you need not look further.

This book gives a good profile of the major figures of the Republican leadership of the 104th Congress. I have always enjoyed books such as this one, and Bob Woodward's "The Agenda," which give more insight into the personalities of their subjects than you would ever get from TV or newspapers. In the last two chapters in the book, which wonderfully describe the tedium of budget negotiations at the end of 1995, I could definitely feel some of the frustration that this group felt in their impasse with the White House.

A look into the demise of the Republican Revolution, starting with the upbeat ideal mood of the first Republican Congress in 40 years and ending with the budget showdown that closed the government for several weeks. The authors present a matter-of-fact, non-partisan, blow-by-blow of the events that transpired during this time, starting with the background of the revolution and its key players. The reader is taken through the 104th Congress' effort to implement its "Contract With America", propose legislation to trim federal spending, and provide income tax relief. Every major bump in the road is documented, along with the early signs of the demise of the revolution. Ultimately, the breaking point is presented in the final chapter, where the House confronts the White House on the federal budget, eventually leaving Republicans, and especially Newt Gingrich, with egg on their face. And while the Republican Revolution is not dead, it certainly is less ideal, and m! ore realistic that it was initially.

The tale of the Republican Revolution of 1994. This was the first time in over 40 years that the Republicans had the majority in both chambers of Congress. The key to the House of Representatives was Speaker Newt Gingrich. This book documents every victory and defeat that Newt and his leadership team took. A great look at the politics, money, and power that is being handed back and forth in Washington. I recommend it to any political science student, interested citizen, and anyone who doubts the influence of $$$ in the capitol