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299 reviews for:
Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime
John Heilemann
4.08 AVERAGE
299 reviews for:
Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime
John Heilemann
4.08 AVERAGE
It was interesting to find out what happened behind the scenes during the 2008 election. It doesn't exactly paint Clinton, Palin, McCain or Edwards in a positive light. Looking back, it's amazing how badly run McCain's campaign was. He was lucky to get as far as he did but his team really dropped the ball on picking Palin as his running mate.
Clinton is depicted as spiteful and narrowminded. Entitled to power, out of touch...
Honestly, as a European, it's astounding to see what kind of knuckleheads actually get into office in the US. The American political system badly needs to be replaced by something more dynamic, less money-driven, something where there is more than two big choices.
Clinton is depicted as spiteful and narrowminded. Entitled to power, out of touch...
Honestly, as a European, it's astounding to see what kind of knuckleheads actually get into office in the US. The American political system badly needs to be replaced by something more dynamic, less money-driven, something where there is more than two big choices.
reflective
slow-paced
This book is fascinating from start to finish, but no one is left unscathed. George Washington would spin in his grave to learn about the antics of not just our modern-day politicians but their spouses and handlers as well. There is no one to admire and not a statesman among them. It solidifies the notion that the American people are merely a pawn in a huge political game. And what the book truly brings to light—unintentionally perhaps—is how complicit the press has become. They are fully aware of the tomfoolery, lying, infidelity and double-dealing that occurs in Washington, but they are too busy playing the game themselves to report it. Or, in the case of these authors, they hoard the information for a tell-all book.
This book about the 2008 US presidential race confirmed something I have known for some time: you have to be a little unbalanced to want the job. It doesn't pay that much. Every aspect of your life is examined under a microscope. The race to get the job is exhausting, and once you've got it you wish you hadn't.
That said this book told me a few things I probably hadn't considered before. For example, my wife would have made a better Vice-President than Sarah Palin. I kid you not. John McCain couldn't possibly have believed he would be elected when he asked Palin to run with him. Or he is insane.
Hillary Clinton emerges as a favorite of the authors, and, it seems, of Obama himself. The book ends with Obama begging Hillary to become his Secretary of State. In hindsight, it was a good choice. However, the scene reminded me of something Lyndon Johnson is credited with saying: that he felt a lot more comfortable with his enemies inside the tent pissing out, rather than outside the tent pissing in. I'm not sure of Obama's motives for hiring Clinton. I don't think anybody will ever really know.
I don't really feel enlightened about why either Hillary or Barak ran for this office. You'd probably have to know these people very well to understand it. You don't really run the US government as President. You preside over it....and argue with the legislators.
The back and forth of the race for the Democratic leadership was a thrilling story, but I'm glad that wasn't me in the story.
That said this book told me a few things I probably hadn't considered before. For example, my wife would have made a better Vice-President than Sarah Palin. I kid you not. John McCain couldn't possibly have believed he would be elected when he asked Palin to run with him. Or he is insane.
Hillary Clinton emerges as a favorite of the authors, and, it seems, of Obama himself. The book ends with Obama begging Hillary to become his Secretary of State. In hindsight, it was a good choice. However, the scene reminded me of something Lyndon Johnson is credited with saying: that he felt a lot more comfortable with his enemies inside the tent pissing out, rather than outside the tent pissing in. I'm not sure of Obama's motives for hiring Clinton. I don't think anybody will ever really know.
I don't really feel enlightened about why either Hillary or Barak ran for this office. You'd probably have to know these people very well to understand it. You don't really run the US government as President. You preside over it....and argue with the legislators.
The back and forth of the race for the Democratic leadership was a thrilling story, but I'm glad that wasn't me in the story.
An incredibly fast and light read. Always skeptical of deep background, but you can at least see the conventional wisdom of campaign insiders. It does not seem they are in disagreement on any of the campaigns or any of the candidates.
It's a non-fiction work which is essentially written like a political novel.
While I think the attraction is seeing Sarah Palin behind the scenes, it composes a sliver of the book, but also the funniest parts. I literally laughed out loud reading the Palin and Biden debate preps.
It's a non-fiction work which is essentially written like a political novel.
While I think the attraction is seeing Sarah Palin behind the scenes, it composes a sliver of the book, but also the funniest parts. I literally laughed out loud reading the Palin and Biden debate preps.
Beyond gossipy, and totally anonymously sourced. It's hard to know what is really true. And it is very Obama-centric, though I don't know if that's bias or recent history.
Still, there was one bit about Hillary that I loved (sums up my life):
"She believed passionately in a more activist government, in a progressive agenda, and she was tired of seeing Democrats flounder in their aims simply because they lacked a coherent message, organizational skills, and a crisp, high-sticking strategy."
Still, there was one bit about Hillary that I loved (sums up my life):
"She believed passionately in a more activist government, in a progressive agenda, and she was tired of seeing Democrats flounder in their aims simply because they lacked a coherent message, organizational skills, and a crisp, high-sticking strategy."
A brilliantly juicy read - packed full of intimate details of the 2008 US Presidential campaign. No one really comes out of it particularly well but whilst the skewering of Palin was well reported, there is actually much more in the book devoted to the Clintons, neither of whom appear in a favourable light.
Would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in US politics.
Would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in US politics.
Recommended by Jo and Ellen
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What really goes on during a presidential campaign? Especially in the months leading up to the early caucus decisions and the early primaries? Why do some candidates with seemingly slim resumes surge to the top and other, more experienced, candidates fall by the wayside? John Heilemann and Mark Halperin reveal the ups and downs, the strategies that work and those that back-fire, and the last-minute maneuvers that create campaigns. And while the book focuses on Barack Obama, Hillary and Bill Clinton, John McCain, and Sarah Palin, the other candidates in the 2008 race are not ignored. The book is based on hundreds of interviews with the participants in the campaigns and the gossipy, breezy style in which it is written makes this nonfiction book read like a novel.
