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tonitrap 's review for:
I finally got around to reading this book - a quick and dirty political tell-all of the 2008 election that was, for the most part, entertaining. I can honestly say that for all of its inside scoop (uncredited, of course) there was not anything hugely revelatory. Politics is a supremely dirty business and those involved can only keep their hands marginally clean for so long. I do think it highlighted how some of the decisions along the campaign trail get made in such a reactionary way that it can only lead to great success or instant failure (cue Sarah Palin to center stage). The juicier parts of the book not only tracked some of the biggest miscalculations of the season, but also the personal debacles and dysfunctions of the candidates and their entourage. The dysfunction prize probably goes to the Edwards' - John comes off as a narcissistic tool who trashes his professional hopes for a fling with a vapid, hippie groupie, and Elizabeth is portrayed as an elitist harpy who plays the valiant and scorned wife in public while privately making the lives of everyone in their circle a living hell. It is hard to look away from the train while it is wrecking. As for Palin, I don't think it adds more than we already know. In other words, she was a woefully miscast show pony way out of her depths.
It is interesting to revisit the Obama/Clinton contest these four years on now. In 2008, Obama was charmed. As the book portrays, he made nary a misstep and the press was in his corner every second along the way. Now we, and the press, feel no problem in pointing put the cracks in the facade we built and supported to the top. Contrast this to Clinton who was seemingly reminded at every step of the campaign that she was held to an entirely different standard than peers, not only because of her gender but because if her history and the potential albatross of her husband. Every potential misstep or gaffe was given a thorough rendering in the press. Now, Clinton enjoys the highest approval rating of her career and of the entire Obama cabinet.
Politics is a fickle beast.
It is interesting to revisit the Obama/Clinton contest these four years on now. In 2008, Obama was charmed. As the book portrays, he made nary a misstep and the press was in his corner every second along the way. Now we, and the press, feel no problem in pointing put the cracks in the facade we built and supported to the top. Contrast this to Clinton who was seemingly reminded at every step of the campaign that she was held to an entirely different standard than peers, not only because of her gender but because if her history and the potential albatross of her husband. Every potential misstep or gaffe was given a thorough rendering in the press. Now, Clinton enjoys the highest approval rating of her career and of the entire Obama cabinet.
Politics is a fickle beast.