Customer Reviews

Reclaiming Conservatism: How a Great American Political Movement Got Lost--And How It Can Find Its Way Back

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The first key point is to recognize that Edwards is referring to American conservatism, by which he means being faithful to the constitution. Accordingly, he finds it conservative to champion individual rights, equal opportunity, separation of church and state, and separation of powers. As a former Congressional leader, Edwards is particularly strong on the last point, unleashing his disdain, indeed fury, at the way the Congressional Republicans have capitulated to the monarchial Bush Administration.

Having been inspired by Barry Goldwater's conservative philosophy in the 1960s, and a Congressional partner to Reagan's reign in the 1980s, this Oklahoma Republican congressman shows how the Republican Party got out of whack under Newt Gingrich's reign in the House. In the book, Edwards also sets forth "conservative" values, which it turns out most liberals would support in principle, and the steps that conservatives need to take to regain their proper place in American politics. One telling step is for conservatives to declare independence from party discipline when it does not serve their principles.

The book is an easy read with a powerful message for liberals as well as conservatives, Democrats as well as Republicans. Highly recommended.

Reclaiming Conservatism's strongest message is that America has been led astray in recent years by so-called conservatives to the precarious point at which our system of government neither promotes individual liberty nor protects it citizens from government intrusion. Reclaiming Conservatism doesn't rant -- rather, it informs with a detailed and interesting history of how we got to this point, it carefully and clearly defines what conservative values are, and it concludes with tangible steps Americans can take to get true conservatism back on track. This book proves that Mickey Edwards, who spent sixteen years in Congress (and many since) defining and strengthening the conservative movement, is wholly committed to restoring conservative values. His book might be considered one small step for a conservative man, but it is definitely one giant leap for conservative mankind.

This book is terrific and rare, offering accessible insight into the reasons why what passes for conservative politics and policies today is bad for the country, let alone conservatives. Reclaiming Conservatism is not merely a primer for conservatives to remember their principles and their roots, although Edwards would no doubt welcome such an outcome. It sheds light on how far off the ranch Newt Gingrich and Bush II have taken the conservative movement - you have to read what Edwards has to say about them! - but it also shows liberals the kind of conservative opponents they should welcome battling and, most importantly, getting down to work with again and ironing out compromises.

But Edwards's points go deeper. He draws meaning and relevance from the Constitution and demonstrates how Congress as an institution needs to reassert itself and stop doing the Executive's bidding. His illustrations of how the president may be the head of state but not the head of government are refreshingly clear, and he reminds us again of the beauty of the constitutional system of checks and balances that has been sullied by leading Republicans in this administration and recent Congresses. Even political veterans will be sure to learn something, but you don't need to be an insider to benefit from Edwards's insights. Now we have to find someone to so well write "Reclaiming Liberalism" and urge politicians and citizens alike to read them both!

This book should be re-titled "Reclaiming AMERICA"! It is a clear portrayal of how our Constitutional government is meant to function and appropriately lambasts the Republicans & Bush administration on their neglect of duty & (in my mind) illegal acts. This book is more about what it means to be an American than a conservative so don't be put off by the title. . .read it to the end & you will have educated yourself (& hopefully others). Be a responsible citizen & read this book!!!

At first thought, one might think the author is out to disclaim any connection to the Bush fiasco in order to advance the electoral hopes of the Republican Party this year. But this view is quickly dispelled. The author is after something else, clearing the name of conservatism from the tarnish it has received in recent years by being smeared over policies that defy our basic beliefs. The surprising result is the many similarities between true conservatism and liberalism, including a respect for the person and his rights. It documents are out-of-control presidency and a weak legislative "balance."

I found this book to be extremely educational and well written. It discusses the historical framework for the balance of power between the three separate but equal branches of Government and how "Conservative" Republicanism has been transformed from a belief in States Rights and Individual Rights to a belief in the power of the Party. Mickey Edwards cites the Constitution in support of the way Government should function and decries the way it is currently functioning. He does not hesitate to criticize the Bush Administration or the current Conservative Republicans for policies which place the Party and the next election ahead of the individual. He criticizes Congress for its failure to properly exercise its Oversight responsibilities. This book denounces the current policies which have led to the polarization and rancor between the Democratic and Republican Parties and calls for a return to the original "Conservative" values of States Rights and Individual Rights as set forth in the Constitution. I think this book should be read by all students of politics, Democrats and Republicans alike. I strongly recommend it.

I've longed for this book. When my high school friend and I reconnected after more than 50 years, he was astonished that I identified myself as a liberal and I was astounded that he called himself a conservative. How could two people who had so much in common be so different in such essential ways? "But your father was a Republican," he said. "Yes, I agreed, but he was a Goldwater Republican. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be voting for today's Republicans."

I've been searching since to find answers to the questions this encounter has raised. One friend, for example, said, "I'm a Republican because I'm a social liberal and a fiscal conservative." But it seemed to me that the Republican for whom he was voting had turned that on its head. I really want a personal understanding of what motivates these conservative friends of mine. Frankly, I have no trouble understanding those who think like me. Of course, who does have difficulty with those who agree with them?

And then comes this wonderful book, for which I am more than grateful. There it is, on page 15: "This book is ... a story of how we `conservatives' have moved from Barry Goldwater and the love of freedom to wiretaps, secret prisons, government intrusion into the most intimate private decisions, and the unprecedented assertion of federal authority and a presidency and bureaucracy that places itself above the law. The movement that once championed strict limits on federal power now recognizes virtually no limits at all. This book will be about how that came to be, how conservatism has become the enemy of all it once stood for and about what must be done to take the movement back from those who have stolen it."

Maybe I could be a conservative.

For anyone interested in what's gone so terribly wrong with the Republican party, and with our political system, you should read this book. It's written from an insider's perspective -- someone who truly knows conservatism and politics. It's a great lesson, and a surprising one for those who don't consider themselves conservatives and who don't think they would ever agree with them. Couldn't recommend a book more, especially in this important election year.

I never ever thought I would agree with a conservative republican, but after reading this book, I am in full agreement with Mickey Edwards. Sean Hannity and the other trash on talk radio have perverted the word 'patriot' but Edwards has brought its true meaning back to us. I see little chance in the near future of correcting the damage wrought on this USA by the W administration, Newt Gingrich, and the neocons; but, if we follow Mickey's advice, we will eventually get the country we and the world needs.

America was founded on principles then considered liberal/revolutionary--governments bound by duty to the people, not the other way around, limited by the phrase "Congress shall make no law..," a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch of government shall gain too much power over the others, strict separation of church and state, no interference in our private lives, the over-riding obligation of Due Process in all criminal proceedings. The Conservative movement of the 1960s was meant to "conserve" these Constitutional principles. I am a proud "liberal," a member of the "loyal opposition" from the perspective of Conservatives like Mickey Edwards. RECLAIMING CONSERVATISM helped me to understand the true meaning and value of pre-Gingrich Conservatism. We stand for many of the same principles. This is not a book about governmental programs, what the government ought or ought not to do for its citizens. It is about protecting and returning to those principles on which our government was founded. Bravo!