Showdown: The Inside Story of How Obama Fought Back Against Boehner, Cantor, and the Tea Party [Hardcover]

David Corn (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 20, 2012

Veteran journalist David Corn—Washington Bureau Chief for Mother Jones magazine and New York Times bestselling author of Hubris (with Michael Isikoff) and The Lies of George W. Bush—now brings us  Showdown, the dramatic inside story of Barack Obama’s fight to save his presidency. With Bob Woodward-esque insight and narrative flair, Corn takes readers into the White House and behind the political scenes during the beleaguered president’s pivotal third year, and explores the most earth-shaking events of the Obama presidency—from the game changing 2010 elections to the Arab Spring, the debt ceiling battle with Congressional Republicans, the killing of Osama bin Laden and beyond.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A great book - the real inside story. If you want to understand the Obama White House and how Washington works, you have to read it.” (Chris Matthews )

“Best account yet of how Obama strategizes.” (Jefferson Morley, Salon.com )

“A dramatic behind-the-scenes account of the decision making that occured within the Obama White House following the disastrous-for-Democrats 2010 midterm election... shows how Obama got his groove back in time for the 2012 campaign.” (Huffington Post )

“Through the lens of policy battles, you get a remarkably vivid pen portrait of Obama himself and how he thinks.” (Kevin Drum, Mother Jones )

“Fine book about how the Obama administration maneuvered to it’s advantage in the face of the catastrophic loses of the 2010 midterm elections.” (Charles P. Pierce, Esquire )

“Why did Obama and Democrats pivot so hard towards deficit reductions, and away from job creation after the 2010 elections? We now have a book that sheds some fresh light on what drove this pivot. ... Corn reports on a number of behind the scene discussions...illuminating.” (Greg Sargent, the Washington Post )

“ Showdown focuses on key moments of Obama’s presidency.” (Mackenzie Weinger, Politico.com )

“Insta-history of Obama... good.” (David Weigel, Slate.com )

“Showdown chronicles the administration over the past two years.” (USA Today )

“Veteran Washington journalist Corn highlights the Obama presidency’s most important and dramatic events ... the book brings a different perspective just as Obama fights for re-election.” (Publishers Weekly )

From the Back Cover

The veteran political journalist and New York Times bestselling author goes behind the scenes at the White House to recount the dramatic tale of a pivotal period in the Obama presidency, from the game-changing 2010 midterm elections to the beginning of the critical 2012 campaign season—a tumultuous time that tested the president as never before and set the stage for a titanic clash over the future of the nation

After Barack Obama's first two years as president—during which he navigated the United States through its severest economic crisis since the Great Depression while managing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq—he was faced with a bitterly divided nation and an emboldened political opposition dedicated to impeding his presidency. What followed was a year of political crises and fierce battles that would transform Obama and profoundly shape the terrain for the next election.

In Showdown, astute political journalist David Corn chronicles and examines this crucial time in the Obama presidency and its impact on the nation's future. Drawing on interviews with White House officials, Obama's inner circle, members of Congress, and others, Corn takes the reader into the Oval Office and the back rooms on Capitol Hill for a fast-paced and gripping account of the major events as they unfolded: the controversial tax-cut deal with Congress in December 2010; the repeal of Don't Ask/Don't Tell; the passage of the New START treaty; the near shutdown of the government in early 2011; the revolutionary Arab spring; the killing of Osama bin Laden; the intense, high-wire debt-ceiling negotiations (in which intransigent House Republicans risked the nation's financial standing); House Speaker John Boehner's erratic maneuvers during the rise and fall of the grand bargain; and the face-off between Obama and congressional Republicans over how best to create jobs.

Corn captures the dilemmas faced by a president assailed by disappointed progressives and defiantly obstructionist Republicans determined to see his defeat. Here is a chief executive trying to balance the cross-cutting demands of governance and politics while handling unending challenges at home and abroad. The book reveals a thoughtful leader with a cool head who is unafraid to take risks and make tough choices, a steely battler who successfully turned his enemies' obstinacy to his advantage. Obama has often frustrated supporters, but Corn shows how the president, who often puts pragmatism ahead of partisan demands, has craftily operated within a hostile conservative political climate, looking to win the long game, achieve progressive goals, and, ultimately, win reelection.

A vivid and powerful account of White House decision-making, Showdown offers a unique and enlightening look at the turbulent American political scene during one of the most consequential moments of the nation's history, and explains the fascinating and complicated leader at the heart of this vortex.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (March 20, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062107992
• ISBN-13: 978-0062107992
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > United States > Legislative Branch
  • #36 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Elections & Political Process > Elections
  • #73 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > International & World Politics > Middle Eastern

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

94 of 105 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Play by Play Account of How President Obama Got His Groove Back March 24, 2012

By aznbballp

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Unlike all the negative BS reviews, I actually bought the book and finished reading the whole thing.

It is an amazing piece of literature that chronicles the highs and lows of this administration during the debt ceiling debacle up to the present. It shows how the President found his voice and realized what the true nature of his opposition was becoming.

Mr. Corn is a venerable, renowned journalist who did countless interviews with top administration officials, as well as aides and close friends to those in the inner circle, to provide us with a behind-the-scenes look at how this administration does it business.

If this book is causing that much heartache from the GOP that even Rush Limbaugh took time to trash this book, and negative reviewers spending time to trash this book, then Mr. Corn is doing something right with this book.

95 of 112 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fascinating Behind-The-Scenes Look at President Obama March 21, 2012

By Aida

Format:Hardcover

It is not easy to discuss politics, nevermind write a book about any political figure without an immediate and often reckless onslaught of opposing views to cloud the important issues. In other words, the vitriol espoused regularly on the Internet and in other mediums has a way of drowning out the facts. Mr. Corn is a veteran journalist, tenacious reporter and best-selling author - with good reason. He has gleaned facts and information from top officials, aides and friends inside the White House which provide an understanding of the decision-making process of President Obama. It is through this insider's lens that we can see how and why the outcomes of the political battles of 2011 were as such, and leaves room for the reader to anticipate the outcomes of the current battles and 2012 election. In addition to the fascinating substance of the book, is Mr. Corn's delicious style of writing. You will be hooked from beginning to end.

67 of 79 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fair representation of Rush Limbaugh March 23, 2012

By SuzAnne Payseur

Format:Hardcover

Rush Limbaugh, like every entertainer who uses their clout for political reasons, deserves these revelations. Somehow managing to excoriate from behind the shield of "news and opinion", it's only right for a book like this to draw back the curtain on the funding and philosophy behind the Limbaugh machine. A must read and a well-deserved reply to the years of Limbaugh tirades, insults, hypocrisy, and wallet-fattening.