Customer Reviews

Completing the Revolution: A Vision for Victory in 2000

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Robert Novak carries his feisty Conservative commentary on Crossfire to his latest book. He makes a powerful case against the Clintonization of the Republicans who surely need to stick with their core principles if they want to win in Election 2000. This book combines Novak's dual-roles as a powerful reporter and a Conservative commentator, spicing his recipe for success with interesting behind-the-scenes bits. His perspective is well-rooted and the reader can tell Mr. Novak has been around for a long time.

While Mr. Novak produces a detailed 10-step plan for capturing the White House and keeping the Congress in the 2000 elections, the main theme is, as indicated above, Republicans must stand firm on their principles. This book is the cure for "conventional wisdom" which suggests that GOP must become moderate and move to the middle to win. The truth is that the greatest GOP victories came when the Party delivered a staunchly conservative message in 1980 and 1994.

This book is a great read and I'd highly recommend it - even for the liberal readers, who may want to take a peek at the enemy's battle plan.

...I must say that this is arguably the most well-written political book of the last year - it is certainly amongst the top 3 or 4. I found myself enraged at times reading this book, and often frustrated beyond belief. For although I am not a liberal Democrat - I am someone who arguably disagrees with Novak's premise even more - a moderate, centrist registered Republican. I believe that in order for the Republican party to succeed, it must move to the center of the political spectrum and become tolerant of varying ideas. Mr Novak believes the exact opposite - that the Republican party will only be successful when it sticks firmly to conservative principles. He believes that if those conservative bedrock principles can be articulated and explained better, than many more people will be attracted to the Republican Party. And he believes that if those bedrock conservative principles are abandones, very few people will be attracted to a "wishy" party.

But to oversimplify things as I just did is to do Mr. Novak an injustice. Mr. Novak knows his stuff and is a persuasive arguer. His strong, articulate writing style shines through throughout his tome. So does his experience in politics and Washington. When you read this book, even if you disagree with it, you feel confident knowing that Mr. Novak is an expert in the ways of Washington, his sources are strong, and his knowledge base is beyond expansive. Beyond that, he is also an interesting writer - it was difficult to put this book down at times.

Possibly the strongest compliment I can give this book is that I found myself having to stop and think about Mr. Novak's arguments several times, although it seemed I have heard them expressed (far less articulately and convincingly) before. And although I did not leave Mr. Novak's book convinced he was correct - I DID leave the book convinced that I would not want to go up against him in a debate, and that he would be a fascinating person to be able to sit down and have a dinner with. END

Bob knovak knows who a traitor in the Bush Administration is. He gladly published the name of one of our own, his own, CIA operative for the sole purpose of partisanship. I don't mind partisan journalists, but as long as Knovak hides his secret, he is a traitor and I am ashamed to see he is still an active member of the American media.

I just finished reading Mr. Novaks book and I must say it is a superb book. It is a book that every person who is in the Republican Party should, NO, must read. The book also helped vindicate many of my feelings that I had after I switched parties several years ago. First of all Mr. Novak tells us that the Republican Party is great (or was great; maybe I'm more pessimistic than he is) because it stands for principals. This is in contrast to the liberal parties whose only principal that they seem to have is that they have NO PRINCIPALS. Since the left has no standards it is truly a malleable plaint propaganda front used to inculcate the masses to a life of extreme bondage under the guise of egalitarian socialism.

Back to the book review, Mr. Novak puts forth the conjecture that when the right buys the distortion of the left that the only way it will win elections is to become more centrist in nature, they are in effect destroying the core of the philosophical ideals of the right. Remember, the left over the years has slid farther and farther into the deadly grips of socialism until ideas that were consider middle of the road 20 years ago are now re-characterized as extreme right wing today. The democrats continually try to paint the conservatives as radicals when in reality it is the democrats that have slid into an ultra liberal position and it is they who have become the radicals. What is amazing is that the Republicans have bought into the lie and feel that they must become more middle of the road. So in essence we no longer have two distinct political parties anymore, instead we have Socialist Party A and Socialist Party B. Or in other terms the Republicrats and the Demicans. It is because of this shift to the left that myself and quite a few others that I know have changed party affiliation.

Mr. Novak is aware of this problem and has put forward ten ideas that if the Republican Party embraced they would begin to win elections again. Not only would they win elections they would see a renewal of zeal similar to the Reagan revolution. The ten postulates are as follows:

1 Use the budget surplus to cut taxes for everyone.
This is probably the biggest no brainer on the list. Lower taxes mean less government (socialistic) programs for the masses. Less government means less intrusion and fewer bureaucrats, fewer bureaucrats mean more productivity and wealth for everyone.

2 Endorse a national sales tax to replace the internal revenue code.
In fact I disagree with the national sales tax, but the point is to scrap the IRS code as it is now and replace it with something incredibly simpler. Again, less chance for the government to get you money means less chance that the government will have control over you.

3 Establish true personal accounts for Social Security.
Social security is here to stay, so why not let it work for you rather than against you. Let's all retire wealthier and with less government intrusion into how I handle MY money.

4 Stop reflexively opposing campaign finance reform.
Both parties have become prostitutes of the moneyed interest that has gotten them elected. If we would come up with a sweeping reform and couple it with idea number 10 it would be a boon for both parties.

5 Embrace Global Free Markets.
Although I believe in free markets theory it only works if both participants allow equal access to their respective markets. This is great in theory but in real life it does not always work.

6 Welcome the religious conservatives as force for good.
The religious right - the liberals have done such a fantastic job at brainwashing the masses into believing that the moral majority and their ilk would turn this county into a totalitarian theocratic form of government. Interesting though, the religious right has no such plans. If you still feel queasy about this notion I highly suggest you read a book by Don Feder, yes he's Jewish, entitled Who's Afraid of the Religious Right?

7 Stand firm in support of the right to life.
This is probably the bedrock principal of the Conservative movement. The Conservative Party has always been the party to look out for the most unfortunate and most in need of the society. While socialists will either discard or destroy human beings that don't fit their agenda it has been the conservatives of the world who have ended slavery and put racism behind us. It has always been the noble pursuit of caring for the handicapped through philanthropy and strong families that has shown the main difference between the left and the right. How can anybody with half a brain that is firing its synapses claim they are a pro-choice conservative. People a choice is between Coke or Pepsi, when you can summarily destroy a human being because it might be inconvenient after YOU MADE ALL THE CHOICES to procreate in the first place. By not standing up for human beings who in their weakest most dependent stage of life shows such utter contempt for our race and for the conservative cause that these individuals should join their true party. The party of Hitler, Lenin and Stalin.

8 Reach out to Women and Minorities without compromising the message.
Lets give credit where credit is due, the leftist have always won the propaganda war. The reason the right has morals and believes in the principal of the truth. With that said it sure wouldn't hurt to go after some good PR work and include the people who have been most helped by the philosophies of the right.

And the last two ideas are

9. Endorse a foreign policy based on strength and engagement, but for the right reasons.

10 Don't be afraid of term limits.

I'm out of space enjoy the book.

After hearing Mr. Novak on a local talk radio program, (Doug Raymond Show), I was compelled to purchase this book. I'm glad I did. Mr. Novak provides the answer to my question "What happened to the Contract With America"? He also provides a blueprint for victory for the Republicans in 2000. I doubt the Republicans, who in Mr. Novak's words have been "Clintonized", will head his words. I do know that after reading this book, I understand more of why Republicans do what they do. Well written. Well done Mr. Novak.

...My uneasiness with this book started in the Preface. After 42 years as a registered Republican, Mr. Novak registered as a Democrat. Why would a Democrat write a book telling Republicans how to win? His answer: he is a concerned citizen.

He describes Republicans as passive, playing not to lose, failing to keep promises, nonconfrontational, intimidated, and frightened, with a leadership that is politically moribund. He suggests that Republicans choose a leadership style from one of two politicians of a century ago . . . Teddy Roosevelt or Tom Reed, affectionately known as "Czar Reed" when he exercised dictatorial rule as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 1890s. Which does Mr. Novak prefer? Yes, that's right, but read the book to confirm your guess.

He lists ten things Republicans can do to win. One item he claims is popular with voters is term limits . . . three two-year terms maximum for House members. He suggests that Republicans adopt limits even if Democrats don't. So, the House could have Republicans with an average of three years experience, and the Democrats an average of fifteen. Sounds fair.

He suggests "Reaching out to women and minorities without compromising the message." The American electorate divides 40% pro-choice, 40% pro-life, and 20% in the middle. George W. Bush, the presumed Republican presidential candidate, is pro-life. To reach out, considering the divided electorate, one might expect that a vice-presidential running mate would be pro-choice. No way, says Novak. Evidently, "reaching out and not compromising the message" means - let's cooperate; do it my way.

My advice to Republicans? Look this gift horse in the mouth, then send it back to its owner.

I have always enjoyed watching Mr. Novak on television and reading his columns, so it was no surprise to me that I enjoyed his book so much. His points about cutting taxes for everyone, standing firm in support of the unborn, and welcoming religious conservatives (he correctly points out on page 141 that the religious conservatives "do not have historic loyalties to the Republican party", and if not welcomed "can very easily walk away") are excellent. He writes on page 86 that the surplus will not be used to pay down the debt-"If it is out there and not given back in taxes, it is definitely going to be spent". His recollection of George Mitchell's steamrolling President Bush on the capital gains tax cut and the budget deal brought back some bad memories. I hope that Governor Bush has read this book.

One thing you can say about Robert Novak is that he's always got something interesting and compelling to say. This time, Novak masterfully dissects the failure of the Republican Party to live up to the Contract with America and what they have to do to regain their moral compass...something they must do if they want a real victory in 2000. To do that, Novak argues a ten point plan which most conservatives would support. Will the Republican Party listen? Perhaps each Republican candidate should purchase a copy of this book...

Robert Novak's fine book, "Completing the Revolution," is divided into three sections. The first part is titled "Republicans in Retreat." It documents the curious - and sometimes amusing - history of the Republican Congress. Mr. Novak asserts that "the revolutionary spirit of 1994," when the GOP seized control of Congress for the first time in 40 years, "is but a faint memory." Instead, the Republican Congress - like the Democratic Congress before it- has become the "incumbent party." To use Mr. Novak's analogy, instead of closing down the executive washroom, the GOP leaders - enjoying the privileges of power for the first time - have merely "changed the locks." In 1998, the Republican Congress resisted public opinion and impeached a president for the first time in 130 years. Since losing that ridiculous battle, it is the Congressional Democrats - not the Republicans - who have shaped a very limited legislative agenda. Mr. Novak makes no attempt to hide his disappointment with this outcome. The second part of the book, "Ten Things Republicans Can Do To Win in 2000" includes such solid suggestions as cutting taxes and embracing free trade. The author also makes an excellent case for welcoming religious conservatives into the party as a "force for good." Mr. Novak is also a lonely conservative voice on behalf of campaign finance reform. By defending the corrupt status quo, the Republican Party does itself an immense disservice. The final section of the book, "Toward Victory" offers a preview of the 2000 presidential election and a fine case on behalf of George W. Bush. The book, overall, is slim and can be shallow at times. But it is a nice review of what conservatives can - and should - stand for.

This is probably the best book out there on politics. Robert D. Novak articulates his point of view greatly. There were several times in the book where I could not put it down. I must comment on the person who reviewed this book before me and say that Robert Novak NEVER changed to a Democrat. In fact, in my opinion, since his conversion to the Catholic Church, he is much more Republican.

Great book to have, a must read for anybody interested in why Repulicans do what they do.