40 More Years: How the Democrats Will Rule the Next Generation [Hardcover]

James Carville (Author), Rebecca Buckwalter-Poza (Contributor)

Book Description

Release date: May 5, 2009

<DIV>The number-one New York Times bestselling author and political strategist James Carville offers a rousing call-to-arms to Democrats, whose reclaiming of the White House in 2008 points to the emergence of a Democratic majority that will last for years to come.</div>

--This text refers to the MP3 CD edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Known for his acerbic, take-no-prisoners style, Democratic political consultant and pundit Carville (Take it Back) does not pull punches in this aggressive manifesto. Surveying the political landscape, the bull-headed liberal finds the right pursuing "ridiculous positions" and "pontificating on silly-ass things that have been decided a long time ago" like global warming, WMD in Iraq, abstinence-based education, and rumors of Obama's secret Muslim heritage. Despite its provocative packaging, and some obvious recycling (yes, Bill O'Reilly and Fox News get a thorough rebuke), Carville has a serious message and some compelling analysis. Examining the demographics in the last election and the Bush administration's record, Carville concludes that the Democrats will easily defeat the opposition for years to come. A lead campaign strategist for both of Bill Clinton's presidential campaigns, Carville has plenty to say regarding Hillary Clinton's failed presidential run (though he's careful to note that she's the politician "I admire the most"). He also believes that if Pres. Obama follows the path set by Bill Clinton, enacting "solid, sensible policies," Americans will accept him as "the Real Deal." Pitched squarely in the southpaw strike zone, Carville hasn't mixed up his standard delivery, but he should find a larger audience of moderates than he has in recent years.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The election of Obama in 2008 was partly due to a shift in American demographics that will favor the Democrats for the next 40 years, proclaims Democratic political advisor Carville. American voters are younger and more ethnically and racially diverse, a trend that favors Democrats. The old canard that young Democrats are prone to switch parties as they age and pay taxes doesn’t stand up against data showing a drop in Republican vote share. Republicans have sealed their current fate by persisting in ignoring the political middle and appealing to their ultraconservative base. Carville points to failed policies of the Bush administration and Republican philosophies: a reputation for fiscal conservatism ruined by record deficits to pay for the war in Iraq, the failure of tax policies favoring the wealthy and corporations to improve the economy, and the horrifying reality of an unresponsive government in the face of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of New Orleans. What the Democrats have in their favor is demographics, techno-communications savvy, and the activism of grassroots supporters. Carville argues that contrary to the myth that Republicans are better on the economy, Democrats have more often delivered strong economies while providing needed social programs. The big challenge for Obama and future Democratic political efforts will be to restore confidence in government. He suggests emphasis on accountability and a “progressive patriotism” with broad appeal to Americans. --Vanessa Bush

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1 edition (May 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416569898
• ISBN-13: 978-1416569893
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #905,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 100 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I actually read an advanced copy May 4, 2009

By Michael J. Gebhardt

Format:Hardcover

This is a well written book, and makes a lot of sense. To the person who commented on the title about "Rule", have you even bothered to read the book? No, you have not. I find it disturbing and immature that someone would give a book 2 stars based on the title without actually reading it. Isn't this review section for people who actually have read books and put thoughtful insight into them?

Anyhow, it's a well thought out book using logic, statistics, and plain and simple facts based on demographics and the change in the culture of this Country.

It's a very good read!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A true eye opener October 14, 2012

By David

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is the second book that I have read from Mr. Carville. I respect his brutal honesty. It was another gripping read. The book was written a few years back, and brought back many memories, and also shed light on recent past events that helped me change my views. Mr. Carville does not filter, nor dumb down his thoughts or opinions. Very respectable man, and very talented author. It is written just as you could imagine him saying directly to you. I highly recommend this book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Hats off to this guy! November 18, 2012

By Brandon

Format:Paperback

In under 180 pages, James Carville has painted quite a vivid and detailed picture of how the United States will appear in the next forty years. He starts off his book by explaining how and why the Republicans are going to "get spanked" over and over in the coming years. Much of his time is spent bashing the republicans and previous republican government officials, but he does take his time to thoroughly explain why all of the current problems in America began because of the republicans. Most of his attacks are directed toward ex-President Bush, John McCain, and the biased media networks (specifically Fox News). Carville implies that if ever there are short comings, it's because of the Republicans.

Although he does spend much of his time attacking republicans or whining about the controversy in Florida back in 2000, he presents some great, useful information as well. As much as I hate to admit it, his reasoning as to why the Democrats are going to rule seems very legitimate and believable. Most of his reasoning focuses on the demographics of America. Voters are now younger and more ethnically and radically diverse. This shift will work out in the Democrats' favor and so far it appears to be true. As Democrats continue to appeal to the growing number of young voters and various ethnicities, the Republicans will need to rethink their strategies. Working only for the favor of the wealthy, white, educated, employed, over 35 male population, republicans are going to have to find a larger fan base and the only way to do that is to change some of their values. Until then, it appears as if the Democrats will in fact control the government for several years down the road.

Carville seems to be a very intelligent man. For the most part, he is spot-on in his theories and reasoning, a few other times he expresses a very strong and unfair bias and tries to pass it off as fact. (In his defense, who doesn't have some form of bias?) He doesn't "sugar-coat" his words. He is out-right blatant in many of the things he says and I respect that. He holds very strong beliefs and will remain unchanged; unless his Republican wife can do something about it. Hats off to this guy expressing such powerful opinions!

I can honestly say I enjoyed reading this book. Although I disagreed with some of what he had to say, he did make me rethink some of my previously held values. He made me think, and I appreciate that. The book was well written, easy to understand, and I even found it to be humorous at times. I highly recommend this to Democrats and Republicans alike!