Customer Reviews

Framing the Debate: Famous Presidential Speeches and How Progressives Can Use Them to Change the Conversation (And Win Elections)

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Jeffrey Feldman's book Framing the Debate is a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to read great speeches in American history and think about the themes that have helped make our country great.

Whether you simply long for the great speeches in America's past, or long for eloquent leaders to move our country forward and are willing to roll up your sleeves and help candidates become better speakers and clearer thinkers, this is a book you must read.

This is a must have book. Jeffery Feldman offers new and creative insight into famous speeches of our country's Presidents. Even more than fascinating to read, it opens your eyes to what you hear on the TV and read in papers. Politics and Issues in general are looked at in a new way after reading just part of this book. Democrats and Republicans alike gain new insight into our Presidents.

Every once in a while, I find a book that changes how I see things completely--and this is one of those books. If you've ever watched a TV newscast or listened to a radio broadcast or read a newspaper--this book will suddenly open your eyes. By walking us through some amazingly cool speeches by U.S. Presidents, Feldman turns every reader into what he calls a "framer" of ideas--ordinary people who "drive the debate" by engaging what they hear and then speaking back. Easy to understand and easy to put to use. Everyone should read this.

Progressives have been less effective than consevatives in communicating political ideas. Progressives have focused on dryly presenting policies and programs without laying out the underlying values or principles with which voters could more readily identify. Feldman's book helps to remedy this shortcoming among progressives.

Feldman analyzes how 15 presidents have used frames in major speeches to convey big ideas. In so doing, he advises progressive politicians, activists and ordinary citizens how to use framing to persuasively communicate progressive principles. This book should be welcomed by progressives and all those interested in effective, genuine political communication.

Feldman can be vitroilic and say dumb things when he is not breaking his arm patting himself (and fellow "progressives'") on the back, but his book has a point and it makes it well. The point is that how you say something is as important, perhaps more, as what you say. Take the issue, change the focus, keep it on your turf, make your the issue work for you. For anyone interested in politics and in speaking pursuasively in groups, it's a fair exercise. But just fair. When Mr. Feldman applies it he can be very effective like when, on C-Span, he turned the discussion on the war on "what should be the constraints on the powers of the executive?" I thought it well played and articulated. Then he can get silly like in his written defense of the Move-On "Betray-Us" ad (it's a conspiracy, see, the conservatives just want you to believe that applying the word "betrayal" to a general implies treason because normal, fair-minded, people can't/won't make such a link on their own). But, those are asides. The book makes good points. Most people are less interested in HOW to make a point and more interested in what the point itself is. Me, I like the mechanics so I score it three stars but I think the audience will be limitted to wonky types.

This book is a bit contrived, quite formulaic, and in the end neither useful or particularly interesting. I thought the premise was quite interesting, and the cited speeches were for the most part stirring. However, the subsequent analysis was contrived, with a strong feeling of trying to force history to conform to modern values. The recommendations weren't really apt or useful.

I'm a big fan of George Lakoff, and found his first book (Don't Think Of An Elephant!/ How Democrats And Progressives Can Win: Know Your Values And Frame The Debate: The Essential Guide For Progressives) intriguing, and his most recent book (Thinking Points: Communicating Our American Values and Vision) both empowering and useful. For someone who hasn't read Lakoff, this book may be interesting and useful, but I'd suggest your time would be better spent with Lakoff instead -- in particular, the most recent one is great reading.

I remember reading this book and being impressed. However, going back now it is pretty dated information and advice. so, I don't necessarily recommend it.