70 of 82 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Attack . . . Attack . . . and Counter-Attack, January 6, 2002
Caution: This book features lots of coarse language. If that sort of thing offends you, skip this book.
The two Democratic strategists combine to describe the key elements of how they feel that political candidates (whether Democrats or Republicans, conservatives or liberals) can win elections, and successfully pursue their agendas in office.
The general advice is to take the offense, and stay on it, even when on defense.
Let me paraphrase the key points into a shorter list to make the concepts more understandable:
1. If you keep trying your hardest to get elected, someday you will succeed. Abraham Lincoln is the prime example.
2. Honestly seek out allies when you need them to get elected. John F. Kennedy taking on Lyndon Johnson as his vice presidential candidate is the main example.
3. Attack your strongest candidate in the general election constantly above the belt. Attack first, attack hardest, and counter-attack first. The first Clinton presidential campaign is the main example.
4. Pick the issue where the strongest general election opponent is most vulnerable, and don't let go! "It's the economy, stupid!"
5. Tell your story unceasingly in a brief, emotional, unique, and relevant way. "Are you better off than you were four years ago?"
6. Be quick to lead with your mistakes, weaknesses, and flaws by realizing that people want to hear it from you first. They will find out anyway, and you can gain credibility and trust this way.
7. Once you are in office, use your political capital wisely where it will make a difference. Build on success!
I suspect that most of these points are not new to you. Why read the book, then? Actually, it's main appeal is in the self-deprecating humor the authors use in describing how determined people on both side of the political spectrum verbally wrestle for power. If you are a Republican or a conservative, you probably won't enjoy the book because there's lots of positive things said about the Democratic candidates the authors have assisted. The book also refers to Republicans, especially President Reagan, but much less intensively.
As examples of the humor, Mr. Carville tells how his mother used to sell encyclopedias to help support the family by looking for men with lots of kids and a bass boat, the book has chicken salad and French toast recipes, and the authors tell about their own personal awkward moments in campaigns.
Will you read about the political issues surrounding the most famous White House intern? Oh, yes. Perhaps more than you want to.
Why should you want to be in office? I suggest that you have a pretty good reason . . . or you won't want to live like this.
The authors leave it up to you as to whether the book applies to other fields. The section on Rule 7: Know How to Communicate was the only section that I thought provided any insights that you might not know already. But that section is quite well done, with vivid examples.
If you are like me, your biggest take-away from this book is how effective open, self-deprecating humor is.
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21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reiterating Old, Good Ideas, January 11, 2002
In an abrubt version of "Failing Forward" by John Maxwell, with a dose of Machivelli and a smidgen of Covey's "Seven Habits...", "Buck Up, Suck Up...and Come Back When You Foul Up: How to Fight and Win...in Business, in Politics and in Life" explains for the hundreth time what Horation Alger knew all along...
Work hard, play smart, and be honest. That, with a little bit of luck, things will work out.
Unfortunately, Paul Begala and James Carville are not afraid to explain that tenacity need not always be focused on what's best. Their adage of "It's the economy stupid" only shows that being simplistic can win the war.
They do emphasize wisdom. Know your assets, increase them when you can, and spend them wisely. Whether this is a budget, polital cachet, or people devoted to your cause... use them wisely.
I recommend "Buck Up, Suck Up...and Come Back When You Foul Up: How to Fight and Win...in Business, in Politics and in Life." The title is long, but the book is good.
Anthony Trendl
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Long overdue book from the War Room, February 10, 2003
The dynamic duo of James Carville and Paul Begala have teamed up to compose a manifest of the strategies essential for the ever famous "War Room" operations. The tweleve winning secrets, as Carville and Begala deem to be, are: 1.) don't quit, 2.) kick [butt], 3.) kiss [butt], 4.) frame the debate, 5.) understand the difference between strategy and tatic, 6.) be open, 7.) know how to communicate, 8.) work your [butt] off, 9.) turn weakness into strength, 10.) be nimble, jack, 11.) know how to recover when you really screw up, and 12.) know what to do when you win.
The book gives the lesson of each secret along with stories and examples which exemplify how the secret proved to be successful in their experiences within the War Room. It is always fascinating to read the real life applications of such strategies and to be inspired by such action.
As usual, Carville and Begala write with such flair and style that it is nearly impossible for a reader not to laugh and love the book!
My being a loyal follower of Carville and his work, this book certainly is recommended with the highest regard.
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