Reviews (5)

best field guide for grassroots organizing
I teach politics and grassroots organizing and have reviewed many similar books. Politics the Wellstone Way is hands down the absolute best book in this genre I have seen. Paul Wellstone was an organizing genious and developed a special talent for combining electoral politics and grassroots organizing with effective policy work. Bill Lofy and the other staffers at Wellstone Action have beautifully captured the wisdom and skills Wellstone was able to accumulate in over 30 years in grassroots organizing and electoral campaigning. I highly recommend it for progressive who wants to learn how to win elections and win in issue organizing for progressive issues. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in learning how to rebuild democracy in America.

A Great Guide for Progressives
This book is designed to be a practical campaign manual for progressive grassroots candidates and organizations in both the context of candidate races, and issue campaigns.
The BEST Nuts & Bolts Book on Progressive Campaigning!!!
Until recently, I wasn't able to attend a Camp Wellstone, so I did the next best thing, and purchased this book. It does an excellent job of laying out the basic knowledge needed in a progressive campaign. Very useful in electoral campaigning as well as issue based campaigns. A MUST READ for anyone involved in (or trying to join) an electoral or issue campaign. I have since purchased many books on elections, but this was the first, and in my opinion, the best overall book in my campaigning library.
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Subjects:  1. Political Process - Elections    2. Political Process - General    3. Political Science    4. Political campaigns    5. Political participation    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics, Practical    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Reference    10. United States    11. Political Science / Reference    12. Political activism    13. USA   

Reviews (13)

You may not agree...but at least Hewitt has a vision for the GOP
I live in the same county as Hewitt and have read his writings online and in newspapers. His book is easy to digest as far as style and length. How do you win the $400 billion war in Iraq, cut taxes and control spending? It's easier to write than to execute. His fourth major recommendation is to confirm the right judges.
Erase the Blue
I enjoyed this book but it wasn't what I thought it was going to be.There were many thought provoking ideas throughout.Based on the title and the description of the book, I figured this would be a sort of David Horowitz "Art of Political War" type of thing.I would recommend the book to those that want to extend the reach of our party (the GOP) and I would recommend it to sensible left wingers, though they are few and far between.The reasoing in the book might help the left understand WHY they are flawed, not IF.

An Excellent Wake-up Call for the GOP
Hugh Hewitt hits the nail on the head with this book.The Republican party stands at a crossroads, especially with the possibility of a Clinton-Obama administration looming on the horizon.Mr. Hewitt does a great job of outlining the political forces that have been at work in the Democratic party, essentially moving it so far to the left as to make it unviable as a long-term political power.Indeed, moderate influences, such as Joe Lieberman, are being marginalized.If current trends continue, even if Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama make it to the White House in 2008, it could be the Left's last gasp.He makes a solid case for this premise.
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Subjects:  1. 2001-    2. Conservatism    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    5. Political Parties    6. Political Process - Elections    7. Political Process - Political Parties    8. Political Science    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics and government    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )    13. United States    14. Political Science / General   

Reviews (4)

If you need to understand 'negative,' this is the book
An outstanding book for the political operative that explains, via social science and quantitative data, the appropriate use and likely effects of negative or comparative messaging.

Negative ads cause cynicism
This book begins with an interesting thesis, which you can read about in detail in chapters 5 and 6.The authors claim that while political advertising in general has the effects of educating the public by informing voters about the candidates and the issues, negative ads can lead to decreased voter participation.Those who remain voters will tend to be more extreme in ideology and less representative of the general public.The concern in this book is that the rise in negative campaigns can subvert the democratic process. Great book about effects of campaign ads
I read this book about a year and a half ago, so some details are sketchy to me.But I wholehartedly disagree with the reviewer who thought this book was no good, and that it simply reflected the author's biases.However, I do agree that the author's proposed solutions are not as good as their informative and balanced account of negative campaign advertising.Read more

Subjects:  1. Advertising, Political    2. Electioneering    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Political Process - Elections    5. Political Process - General    6. Political Science    7. Politics - Current Events    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. United States    11. Advertising    12. Elections & referenda    13. Political Science / General    14. Political campaigning & advertising    15. USA   

Reviews (10)

"Misunderestimating" Hillary Clinton
If "Bush Country" demonstrated that George W. Bush came to power as a result of being "misunderestimated" by his opposition, "Can She Be Stopped?" argues that Hillary Clinton will use the tactic in 2008.Whether one likes her or not, it must be admitted that Hillary is the Queen of Coyness -- with Bill playing right along in the game.How many interviews with Bill have we seen in the past few weeks, in which he pretends not to know whether Hillary is running in 2008?Make no mistake, Hillary is running and she will be a force to be reckoned with, as John Podhoretz reminds us time and again.
Preaching to the Right Wing Choir Sheds Little Light on 2008
This book looked good at first glance - a treatise on the plausibility of Hillary Clinton being elected President in 2008 and how the Republicans can stop her. And the banner "Author of the New York Times bestseller Bush Country" on the cover seems to confer additional gravitas.
Surprising read: Insightful, fresh and engaging
I am surprised and, in a way, relieved. Anyone who doesn't believe John Podhoretz queasily polemical title "Can She Be Stopped?" is a rather concerning cause for an independent picking up his book would feel right to not proceed, at least not with an outright delve. Perhaps a delve with caution. But what a mistake this would be! And I know what you're thinking: another political hack job against the Clintons, this time against its female sector, in the same vein of Rush Limbaugh. But this is not an accurate assumption. This is a concise book for the voting electorate, especially Republican voters distasteful of their party's current atrocities. A relatively large amount of the book is devoted to how the Republican Party should admit its mistakes (and there are many) and begin to reform themselves, or Hillary will do it for them come 2008. Overall, a refreshing read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 2008    2. Election    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    5. Political Process - Elections    6. Political Process - Leadership    7. Political Science    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Presidential candidates    11. Presidents    12. U.S. - Contemporary Politics    13. U.S. Presidential Elections    14. United States    15. Women presidential candidates    16. Current Events / American   

Reviews (21)

An interesting read, perhaps fodder for "What If?" speculation
William Howard Taft was the president in 1912, hand-picked by his predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt, and arguably TR's political protege. He never wanted the job, and probably would not even have taken it if it hadn't been for a power-hungry wife. He really would have preferred to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (an office which, in fact, he eventually did get, becoming the only person to have held both the highest executive position and the highest judicial position in this country's history!) And he was very unskilled at dealing with matters political. His weakness caused his being dominated by the conservatives in his party's Congressional leadership, which TR saw as a sell-out (it seems not to have been anything like that, but simply an inability to exercise power, and TR and Taft eventually reconciled).
Not worthless, but far from what it could have been
Many of the other reviewers here capture my sentiments about this book...oh, what could have been. Not in American history; no in the book itself. Chace seems to me to be sympathetic to all of his candidates except Taft, who, like most of the "minor" Presidents is far more interesting than we thought. But Chace's Progressivism relegates Taft to a minor figure, TR's fearful lapdog who quests for his approval and otherwise does little more than worry about his weight and shoot a round of golf. But the idea that was born (or at least grew to manhood) in 1912, according to Chace, is one we might very well be better off without. The President who has to fix everything, be involved everywhere, and rule all aspects of our life sounds almost like a good idea when espoused by Wilson and Roosevelt in this campaign. But the core idea, after 90 years of various attempts to implement it, should be tossed aside. Taft knew this back then, as quoted in the book. "A National Government cannot create good times. It cannot make the rain to fall, [or, my Louisiana friends, stop falling] the sun to shine, or the crops to grow, but it can, by pursuing a meddlesome policy, attempting to change economic conditions, and frightening the investment of capital, prevent a prosperity and a revival of business which might otherwise have taken place." As true today as it was in 1912.

If Teddy and Bill Had Stayed Friends
Despite the apocalyptic title, the fact is that for all of the candidates for the presidency the nominations and subsequent campaign of 1912 could not come fast enough. For everything claimed about the 1912 election being a benchmark of later twentieth century electoral trends, the candidates themselves were men running on empty or close to it. Where the four candidates themselves [three, realistically, at any rate] were concerned, the prize of the White House was a reprieve from decline, oblivion, or in Debs' case, jail.
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Subjects:  1. 1912    2. 20th century    3. Election    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. History    6. History & Theory - General    7. History - General History    8. History - U.S.    9. History: American    10. Political Process - Elections    11. Political parties    12. Presidential candidates    13. Presidents    14. U.S. History - Early 20th Century    15. U.S. Practical Politics    16. United States    17. United States - 20th Century    18. History / General   

Reviews (3)

An Insightful Look at Voting
Saari has put together a small but useful book on the trickiness inherent in voting and the potential paradoxes that can get minor candidates elected.In races with more than two candidates, the method of vote counting is extremely important, and it is possible that by changing the counting process, you could have any candidate you want winning.Theoretically, an election could be rigged without a single dishonest vote. Great on math, weak on policy
First, I'm a physicist, so the math was fine for me, but some people might find it frustrating. However, if you're willing to sink your teeth into it you'll get the important ideas. Election Math made Accessible: Cures Headaches, too!
This book makes some of Saari's most important research into the mathematics of voting accessible to a general audience for the first time. Personally, I greatly appreciate this book. With very little math background, I have tried in vain for the past year to comprehend some of Saari's research articles, with the assistance of a math professor. The result was very little comprehension, and a lot of headaches. This book has, for the first time, enabled me to understand some of the things I had struggled with in vain for months, and greatly increased my comprehension of many of those things I saw only dimly before. I thank the author for the mercy he has shown towards me, and similarly interested readers of his work. Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Mathematics / Game Theory    3. Political Process - Elections    4. Political Science    5. Political Science / Elections    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Voting    9. Chaos theory    10. Elections & referenda    11. Game Theory   

Subjects:  1. Political Process - Elections    2. Political Science    3. Political activity    4. Political participation    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Reference    8. Voting age    9. Young adults    10. Elections & referenda    11. Political Science / General    12. Public opinion & polls   

Subjects:  1. 2004    2. Election    3. Elections    4. Political Process - Elections    5. Political Science    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Presidents    9. Reference    10. United States    11. 21st century    12. Elections & referenda    13. USA   

Reviews (2)

learn mathematics of voting
Great book! Interesting new theory developed to visualize voting systems. Can be technical - best used in conjunction with "Chaotic Elections", which is more of an overview. It is nice to see an application of mathematics that doesn't require a huge amount of mathematical training - just some familiarity with vectors and parametrizations of lines and planes. Accessible to many people interested in how math can be used to model voting systems, from high school onwards.

The most important work since Arrow
This book is the most important work in social choice theory since Arrow's (1963) "Social Choice and Individual Values". Professor Saari (now at UC Irvine) used this book in an advanced graduate course I took in Fall 2000, and he covered nearly the entire book in a ten week course (hint to instructors and students: I would not recommend this suicidal pace, unless your students are very ambitious and/or very bright!)Read more

Subjects:  1. Accounting - General    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. General    6. Geometry    7. Mathematics    8. Political Process - Elections    9. Voting research    10. Business & Economics / Economics / General    11. Business & Economics-General    12. Decision theory: general    13. Elections & referenda    14. Political Science / Elections    15. Probability & statistics   

Subjects:  1. Democracy    2. Elections    3. Government - National    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Political Process - Elections    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. United States    10. Voting    11. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    12. Political Science / Elections   

Subjects:  1. Democratization    2. Ethnic Studies - General    3. Political Ideologies - General    4. Political Process - Elections    5. Political Process - Political Parties    6. Political parties    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Taiwan    11. Interdisciplinary Studies    12. Political Science / Elections   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Elections    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Women And Politics    6. Women in politics    7. Women presidents    8. Women prime ministers    9. Women's Studies    10. Central government   

Subjects:  1. Communication    2. Communication in politics    3. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    4. Media Studies    5. Performing Arts/Dance    6. Political Process - Elections    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. United States    10. Language Arts & Disciplines / Communication    11. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    12. Press & journalism    13. USA   

Subjects:  1. Government - U.S. Government    2. History    3. Immigrants    4. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    5. Political Process - Elections    6. Political Science    7. Political activity    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Public Policy - General    11. Suffrage    12. United States    13. Voting    14. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    15. Political Science / General   

Subjects:  1. Campaign funds    2. Democracy    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Political Process - Elections    5. Political Science    6. Politics - Current Events    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. United States   

Subjects:  1. Citizenship    2. Civics & Citizenship    3. History & Theory - General    4. Political Ideologies - Democracy    5. Political Process - Elections    6. Political Science    7. Political participation    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. United States    11. Political structures: democracy   

Reviews (14)

Stretched History with a Republican Womanizing Twist
Charles Peters tells a great tale, and it is a treat to read prose by one so gifted in the English language and so precise in his meaning. Well researched with a remarkable sense of grammatical timing, the book is an interesting piece of history that will become a mainstay for college students of American Political History. As politics, however, it leaves untold the story of exactly why the Dewey and Taft campaigns so misjudged the Willkie forces at the convention. As I read the jacket synopsis and internal photo captions, I began to expect to read that Franklin Roosevelt had undermined the Republican National Convention to install Wendell Willkie as a friendly nominee! Willkie's politics are no more a focus of this book than his womanizing, which, because of its long term nature, would be more of a story today than perhaps even Bill Clinton's. And while I like Willkie a lot after reading about him, I think the case for making a hero of his pro-defense stance is overdone.
Where is Willkie today, when we need him?
This provides an excellent picture of presidential politics just before our entry into World War II.Somehow, Wendell Willkie rose in the Republican party to challenge a crafty and popular president and although he lost the election he helped to turn the country in the right direction.
Personal memoir combined with political history - interesting tactic
Charles Peters has primarily given us in his book Five Days in Philadelphia, the story of the Republican convention of 1940.In addition to recounting the convention, leading to the nomination of Wendell Wilkie as the GOP candidate for the Presidency, Peters also gives us some background information on the Presidency of Franklin Roosevelt and how Willkie allowed FDR to continue down the path of arming America and her allies for war.
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Subjects:  1. 1940    2. Biography    3. Election    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History - U.S.    7. History: American    8. Political History    9. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    10. Political Parties    11. Political Process - Elections    12. Political candidates    13. Presidents    14. Republican National Convention    15. U.S. Elections And Voting    16. United States    17. United States - 20th Century    18. United States - 20th Century (1900-1945)    19. World War, 1939-1945    20. American history: Second World War    21. Elections & referenda    22. USA   

Subjects:  1. Government - U.S. Government    2. Political Process - Elections    3. Political Science    4. Political culture    5. Political psychology    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Public Affairs & Administration    9. Public opinion    10. United States    11. Values    12. Political Science / Elections    13. Political Science and International Relations    14. Public opinion & polls    15. Social research & statistics    16. USA   

Subjects:  1. Party affiliation    2. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    3. Political History    4. Political Process - Elections    5. Political Process - Political Parties    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. United States    10. Elections & referenda    11. Political Science / Political Parties    12. Political Science-Political History    13. Political Science-Political Process - Elections    14. Political parties   

Reviews (3)

Great Book on theory and Practice of Politics
Good solid book on political theory and the practical application of that theory.Highly recommend!

Wow...ok
Wow is what I thought when I bought this book. It seemed so interesting for a future political consultant. A must read, I thought. This is no hands on campaigning book. Instead, think of it as a dictionary.Each chapter has about 4-5 pages on one aspect of campaigning. radio, tv, billboards, phonecalls, on and on. each author explains what they do and tries to give you a very tip of the iceberg view of what it is they do. Some authors even offer suggestions. I read chapter to chapter and got a highlight of each campaign tool. Ok, I thought.

A Good One
At first glance, I thought it was a colleciton of articules with no particular focus. But after reading it for a while, I knew that's the one I have been looking for.Read more

Subjects:  1. Campaign management    2. Media Studies    3. Political Process - Elections    4. Political Process - General    5. Political Science    6. Political campaigns    7. Political consultants    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. United States    11. Political campaigning & advertising    12. Public relations