Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union [Paperback]

David Swanson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009

Daybreak is a thorough investigation of how Bush/Cheney altered the way American government works and deteriorated the Constitution and Bill of Rights. It includes clear plans for how we may reclaim democracy, declare our rights, and truly set out for a new America. Shocking and inspirational, Daybreak provides a clear breakdown of all that we have lost, and all that we have to gain.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Swanson has been an indefatigable commentator and activist tirelessly advocating for the dismantling of the imperial presidency and the restoration of the principles of our Constitution. Daybreak urgently reminds us that good political intentions are not sufficient to ensure the continuation of our democracy; informed vigilance is vital to that task."—Mark Karlin, Buzzflash.com

"David Swanson is the most thoughtful, determined, and energetic progressive activist in America, and one of the most important voices of his generation."—Bob Fertik, President of Democrats.com

About the Author

DAVID SWANSON is cofounder of AfterDowningStreet.org, creator of ConvictBushCheney.org, the Washington director of Democrats.com, and a board member of Progressive Democrats for America. He served as press secretary for Dennis Kucinich's 2004 presidential campaign and has been a leading voice for the prosecution of Bush and Cheney for war crimes.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Seven Stories Press (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583228888
• ISBN-13: 978-1583228883
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #686,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Swanson is the author of the new book "War Is A Lie" and of "Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union" and of the introduction to "The 35 Articles of Impeachment and the Case for Prosecuting George W. Bush," by Dennis Kucinich.

Swanson holds a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Virginia. He has worked as a newspaper reporter and as a communications director, with jobs including press secretary for Dennis Kucinich's 2004 presidential campaign, media coordinator for the International Labor Communications Association, and three years as communications coordinator for ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.

Swanson is Co-Founder of AfterDowningStreet.org, creator of ProsecuteBushCheney.org and Washington Director of Democrats.com, a board member of Progressive Democrats of America, the Backbone Campaign, Voters for Peace, and the Liberty Tree Foundation for the Democratic Revolution, a convenor of the legislative working group of United for Peace and Justice, chair of the UFPJ working group on Accountability and Prosecution, and a member of the Robert Jackson Steering Committee.

Swanson's website AfterDowningStreet was named a Most Valuable Progressive by the Nation Magazine's John Nichols in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

Swanson contributed a chapter to "Project Rewire: New Media from the Inside Out," by Judy Daubenmier.

Swanson contributed a chapter called "Flame-Broiled Shark: How Predatory Lending Victims Fought Back and Won," to "The Wealth Inequality Reader" by Dollars and Sense and United for a Fair Economy.

Swanson contributed his article "2009: Year of the Filibuster" to At Issue: Does the U.S. Two Party System Still Work? published by Gale, a part of Cengage Learning.

In 2009, Swanson created a website for CODE PINK and Global Exchange to market a company investing in wind energy in Iran: http://windsofchangeiran.com and another website for Cindy Sheehan's counter recruitment effort: http://nomorecannonfodder.org He also created a website for a book by Les Leopold: http://lootingofamerica.org

Swanson has created Drupal websites for lots of peace and justice groups, including http://charlottesvillepeace.org and http://acpjva.org and http://www.vawn.org and many others, including sites for short-lived campaigns like this one http://johnsonmustgo.org

Swanson regularly serves as a judge in the annual labor media contest overseen by the International Labor Communications Association.

In 2008, Swanson hosted a weekly radio show at http://thepeoplespeakradio.net

In April and May 2007, Swanson consulted part-time for Kucinich for President 2008.

Swanson was the organizer in 2006 of Camp Democracy.

He has served on the steering committee of the Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice (2006-2008).

He has served on the Executive Council of the Washington Baltimore Newspaper Guild (2005).

Swanson has been ...

Published in Baltimore Sun, Washington Examiner, Humanist.

Quoted in and reported on in the Nation, In These Times, Progressive, Mother Jones.

Published often on: DavidSwanson.org, Democrats.com, PDAmerica.org, AfterDowningStreet.org, Truthout.org, Alternet.org, TomPaine.com, HuffingtonPost.org, OpEdNews.com, American Chronicle, Democratic Underground, DailyKos.com, MichaelMoore.com, BuzzFlash.com, ConsortiumNews.com.

Heard often on Pacifica, Air America, other progressive radio.

Hosted programs on Pacifica, and a long-running show on The People Speak Radio.

Seen on Fox, CNN, PBS, C-Span, Democracy Now!, Free Speech TV, Link TV, RealNews.com.

Quoted in many newspapers and magazines.

Swanson works for Democrats.com as its Washington Director and spends a lot of time in our nation's capital. He does paid work for other peace and justice groups, including creating websites and organizing campaigns. He consults for Dennis Kucinich each time he runs for president. He also earns money speaking at events, selling ads and raising donations on AfterDowningStreet.org, and writing articles and books. The AfterDowningStreet website is funded by VelvetRevolution.us.

Swanson lives in Charlottesville VA with his wife Anna Swanson and son Wesley Swanson, and can see Thomas Jefferson's house Monticello from his window. James Madison's house is also close enough for Swanson to feel it when he rolls in his grave.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Daybreak ... of the Revolution, August 31, 2009

By 

S. Rowan Wolf (Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union (Paperback)

This book accomplishes two critical things. One, it clearly documents the power grab and crimes of the Bush administration. Two, it provides a field manual for a social movement to put the people (us) back within the balance of powers.

The book is an excellent documentation of the theft of our democracy. Swanson presents a thoroughly documented analysis of the creation of the imperial presidency. This grounding is fundamental for citizens to have the tools to counter the blather that passed as news and neo-con talking points for eight years - and continues now as the talking heads try to block any investigation of those crimes.

David Swanson also provides suggestions and strategies for an activist citizen's movement to (1) address the undermining of the Constitution and balance of powers, and (2) to return citizen voice and power to the ruling of our nation.

One of the issues that people across the political spectrum should agree on, is the long term threat that the powers stolen by the Bush presidency will pass from President to President unless they are challenged. Swanson (and most in the impeachment movement) are aware of this as well. There is a consistent effort to paint those who want thorough investigations - with prosecution where warranted and legislative remedy where needed - as wanting "revenge," or having "political" interests, or just "Bush Bashers." However, we know and Swanson makes clear, the stakes are much higher - the future of any functioning democracy in the United States.

This book is more than a "read it" book. Swanson has created a reference manual for activists. Daybreak is chock full of organizational strategy and mechanisms. It provides a vision of what a citizen involved democracy in the United States could look like - and how to get there.

My recommendation: Get it, read it, share it. Kudos and thanks to David Swanson.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Few know the subject better., September 1, 2009

By 

Brian Franklin (Davie, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union (Paperback)

In the fight for accountability, there are many whose actions have failed to live up to their rhetoric. It is one thing to believe this country is worth fighting for, and yet another to actually spend time fighting.

As someone who worked for Congressman Wexler's campaign and his push for impeachment hearings, I can attest to David's fighting spirit and breadth of knowledge. His comprehensive understanding of the supporting evidence - coupled with a singular clarity of the legislative process and players - made him an vital resource.

There are surely plenty of people who disagree with him on Impeachment and/or his approach, but few that have been witness to his dedication, or have heard him speak in defense of the rule of law, could reasonably question his commitment to basic principles of justice and our constitution.

This book not only outlines the broad effort to hold our leaders accountable for their actions (and in some cases, inaction) - but it serves as a guide to understanding how today's activists can still find their voice heard (and force movement) despite the complex political dynamics that govern today's government.

One side note - whether or not you're an impeachment advocate or simply interested in political science, the notes section alone (and its rich collection of sources and links) make this book a must-have.

51 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excerpted from BuzzFlash's Review, August 30, 2009

By 

David C N Swanson (Charlottesville VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union (Paperback)

BY BUZZFLASH

David Swanson is the most prolific, indefatigable advocate and activist that BuzzFlash knows of. He is equally at home writing countless persuasive commentaries on the Internet about the urgency of upholding the Constitution and making those in power accountable under the law on his main site [...]. and with being a ubiquitous grassroots activist.

Swanson is a young father, but his personal actions echo the mobilization protests of the '60s. Unlike so many of us creatures of the Internet who make our logical arguments for principle and social justice on the net and feel that we are doing our job, Swanson doesn't miss an opportunity to hit the streets, Congressional offices, protests in front of the White House, organizing advocacy marches -- whatever it takes.

As a result many "mainstream" progressives regard him as "unruly" and violating "decorum." Meanwhile, the right wing shouts, screams, and engages in the most vile, hateful and violent behavior and the same Congressional progressives and "centrists" run scared and capitulate. All David Swanson asks for is justice and is spurned.

A lot of the new Internet left doesn't have room for the likes of a true grassroots activist and "pamphleteer" like Swanson. No, he's not a radical of any sort, just someone who would have been riding with Paul Revere or penning protest broadsides against King George, or organizing protests for American Independence.

He speaks truth to power, and for that he has irritated some progressive Capitol Hill Democrats because he has the "audacity" to hold sit ins and corner Dems who are trying to weasel out of standing up to injustice.

Unlike many progressive net advocates, Swanson is not about to be co-opted by lofty rhetoric about the Constitution by Dems who continue the status quo of letting entrenched power remain above the law. He's not someone who will appear on the media as a pundit (with rare exception), because he does more than talk in sound bites and challenges the acceptable range of being a "Democratic seat filler" on talk shows. So the corporate media knows he won't stick with the corporate news "script" of the day.

David Swanson is what we all need to be if we are to defeat the powerful and unlimited financially backed forces of corporate control over our nation; he takes his case to the streets, to the Halls of Congress, to churches, to colleges, to anyone who will hear him out. He believes that when all you get from the Democratic elected officials is rhetoric without follow through, you sit in their offices until they come out -- and sometimes get arrested.

David is a man who hits the keyboard, but never forgets that it is hitting the streets that makes the difference: that is how we achieved gains in Civil Rights, in ending the Vietnam War, in gaining the right of Women to Vote, in stopping a reactionary anti-immigration movement.

Buy and read David Swanson's 360 page book. If we are to win back the momentum of the '60s, David is one of those who will be there leading us in a protest march for justice.

David knows that the only way to counter big money is sore feet, a hoarse throat, and hundreds of thousands -- even millions -- taking the strength of their convictions directly to the sources of power in America.