The Way to Win: Taking the White House in 2008

The Way to Win: Taking the White House in 2008 is my first attempt to understanding the Political System. I found it very informative in some back history I have missed in my American Education....great history lessons on Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, George Bush, Democrats and Republicans. This book is a great start.

For one who lives outside the US, here's a book that makes you dive head-first into how US politics are done today. Will these techniques spread to other countries? With a few adjustments, they most probably will. Learning about how Kerry's announcement was shrinked to a short novel about his hairdo sure makes you laugh (c'mon, let's have have some sense of humor...) as it also makes you think about the future of Democracy... and about its essence. In the end, hasn't it always been about emotional appeals, abotu the small stuff that makes each voter tilt left or right?

A most interesting book in that two astute observers of the American political scene make comments on the upcoming 2008 election. It does promise to be an interesting election. As usual, to win the Democratic primary you have to appeal to the hard core left wing - something both Hillary and Obama do. On the other hand, traditionally you have to go pretty far right to win the Republican primary, but neither MaCain nor Giuliani have done so. Then after going far out on the wing, you have to come back to the center in order to win the election, because the country is positioned at neither wing. Hillary and Obama have a long way to go to get to the center. The logic presented in this book is fascinating. But it's early in the political silly season. There's room for lots of surprises. This is a jolly good read (or listen in the case of the CD's), just don't take it too seriosly at this early stage. It's a lot about what happened in the past. But it's a new election.

My daughter and I recently attended a sold-out concert in Carnegie Hall, New York City. The ambience was electric, enticing, and exciting - with everyone breathlessly awaiting the singer's opening song. Everything was cool (my daughter's jargon) until midway through the performance. We were disappointed when the living legend decided to give us her worldly viewpoints on saving Sperm whales, Flying-Purple-People- Eaters, and remnants of all mankind. The audience booed loudly and someone yelled: "Shut up and sing!" I bought this book thinking I might have to say to the authors: "Shut up and write!" I was happily mistaken. Instead of being indoctrinated with political viewpoints -- I was enthralled, entertained, and captivated with inner workings and political strategies of those who seek public office. "The Way To Win" lays out political complexities in layman's terms. It is marvelously done and reads like a chess match between grand masters. Page 170 is entitled: "Play to your Strengths (And Away From your Weaknesses) What Bush knew and when he knew it". It is just one of many chapters that made this book a fascinating read. Analogies made by the authors of successes and failures by Richard Nixon, John Kerry, and others were engrossing, informative, and fairly balanced on both sides of the political spectrum. Mark Halperin and John F. Harris have written a book all political Monday-Morning- Quarterbacks can appreciate; filled with detailed and provocative analyses. Reading it enlightened me not only about politics, but also about how power is won, lost, and embraced. I loved this book. It is not just well written ... it is cool! Reviewed by Reginald V. Johnson, author, How to Close More Customers

Everything Hillary Clinton and John McCain do not want you to know about the road to the White House in 2008. This book is the nonpartisan blueprint for being nominated for president."