Values Matter Most: How Republicans, or Democrats, or a Third Party Can Win and Renew the American Way of Life

Looking for some good empirical data on the meaning of values in leadership led me to "Values matter most." This is an excellent analysis of what is "right" about America, and follows on Wattenberg's very good earlier work, "The good news is that the bad news is wrong." That earlier title is self-explanatory and sets the stage for "Values".Wattenberg, a Johnson staffer turned Reagan Democrat, hosts a PBS show, often geared to this basic theme. And his premise is this: Look beneath the conventional wisdom, the punditry, and the media hype and find that America works pretty well if not very well. While many people think that America is declining in status, prosperity, or value, the underlying conditions, trends and facts are much more positive. Yes, some social behaviors and standards are declining, but these are areas where "values matter most" and attention to values first, money or politics second, can drive a positive agenda for any political party. Key aspects of America's welfare -- education, crime, health, family and income support -- require attention, but not necessarily (significant) infusions of cash. "Family" values -- stable marriage, a working parent, supervised and loved children, parental support of education, safe streets, and some sense of discipline and duty -- are an integral part of the analysis. Attend to and enhance the social fabric.Wattenberg blends a smooth, witty style with substantial and substantive data to make his point, without being preachy, even if he does at times come across as a bit "grandfatherly". Grant him that and check out this book.

Values has the dominant role in public debate in the way that government management of the economy once did. While the debate over national planning has largely been settled (less is more), the debate over national values is in many ways just beginning. It is here that Mr. Wattenberg takes a fresh an intriguing perspective. For many years, the Democrats have been popularly potrayed by their critics as the party that condones immoral behavior, whether that be Hollywood violence or single moms or open homosexuality. This doesn't appeal to most Americans but what has kept them politically vialable has been their second image as the party that's on the side of working class dads and soccer moms; the party that in the words of Al Gore "fights for them." The Republicans, it would seem, would have an opening on the values front since most Americans like their stance on such issues as crime, welfare, and affirmative action. But their popularity on these issues is tempered by a deep suspicion front most swing voters. They see the GOP as either a trojan horse for race-baiting and wrath-of-God conservatives or a money machine for selfish businessmen. In this sense, the party of Lincoln suffers a severe credibility gap. Wattenberg understands what each party is doing wrong in the values debate and offers practical solutions to getting the debate on the side of the American electorate. The 2000 election will offer a clue to which party can win the first round of the values fight.

Wattenberg - a proud conservative Democrat and often independent centrist - believes that his party must "come home" to the responsibility era. I agree with him on this issue, but on some, he is dead wrong. He overstates the size of the "welfare state" we have - in fact, it is rather small when compared to those of other nations. He bashes Affirmative Action a little too much. He often sides with the GOP in some of the "culture wars" over immigrants and other issues. Yet, to his credit, the author sounds the tone of the conservative Reagan Democrats rather well. Wattenberg did a good job here in that area, despite the fact that I may disagree with him on some issues, as a die hard New Deal Democrat. Yet, regardless, this book is a great read for anyone.