Voting to Kill: How 9/11 Launched the Era of Republican Leadership [Paperback]

Jim Geraghty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 2006

In Voting to Kill, author Jim Geraghty offers a comprehensive look at why recent elections have given the Republican Party its greatest political success since the 1920s. Despite a lot of talk about values, problems within the GOP, "red state culture," and the slow but vital progress in Iraq, the biggest difference between the two parties remains the subject of safety. As the Democrats continue to project an image of confusion and pacifism, even in the face of increasingly vicious terrorist activity in the Middle East, more Americans trust the GOP to be ruthless in killing terrorists. From "security moms" to neo-Jacksonian bloggers, people across the country are confronting the post-9/11 era with white-knuckle anger and relentless determination. Voting to Kill captures this zeitgeist, showing why terrorism was the defining issue in 2002 and 2004, and will be in 2006 and 2008, as Republicans rev up instinctively hawkish Americans to vote and campaign as if their lives depend on it.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Geraghty made his mark blogging coverage of the Kerry presidential campaign for National Review. In this insightful book, he deconstructs all the theories about Republican popularity as part of a craving for family values and focuses on what he considers the real issue: national security and safety in the face of terrorist threats. Americans favor a political party they think will not hesitate to kill terrorists. Drawing on recollections by ordinary Americans of the fear they felt on 9/11 as they faced the harrowing choice of which child to pick up from school first, Geraghty believes this fear created "Security Moms and Dads" singularly focused on safety who believe that Republicans are most likely to deliver on that issue. Geraghty suggests that to have any hope of regaining political power, Democrats need to project a tougher image on terrorism and stronger support for defense spending. To remain in power, Republicans need to balance their hawkishness. Readers wondering how long the political agenda will be ruled by 9/11 will appreciate this comprehensive look at terrorism and American politics. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"You want to know why the GOP has won big in 2002 and 2004? Read this book. You want to know why the public does not trust the Democratic Party to protect America? Read this book. This book is for everyone whose worldview changed on 9/11. After you read it, show it to people who have NOT accepted the post-9/11 reality we all face. This book might just open their eyes."

-- Rush Limbaugh --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 366 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone (September 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743290429
• ISBN-13: 978-0743290425
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,500,931 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!, September 17, 2006

By 

Thomas Marshall Manson (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Voting to Kill: How 9/11 Launched the Era of Republican Leadership (Paperback)

Geraghty has written the must-read book of the political season. It portends that even in the face of crappy poll numbers and an occassionally ill-focused agenda, Republicans are likely to continue their string of electoral successes in large measure because voters don't trust the Democrats and the American left to successfully prosecute the War on Terror.

Geraghty's book is exhaustively researched and yet remains a pleasure to read. His blogger's wit and irreverance combines with spot on analysis to make this the political book of the year.

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars why the Michael Moore Party can't win, September 12, 2006

By 

Jeff Bishop (Winston-Salem, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Voting to Kill: How 9/11 Launched the Era of Republican Leadership (Paperback)

Geraghty makes a persuasive case that the war on terror is not an election issue, but THE issue, and the reason why the Republicans are likely to dominate for some time to come unless the Democrats change their tune. Unfortunately, he makes an equally strong case that the Democrats probably won't change their tune in the foreseeable future, due to a large constituency that doesn't take terrorism seriously.

Geraghty does overstate his case in some instances, and understates it slightly in others, which is why I gave it 4 stars rather than 5. It's a pretty good book, but with a little more editing it could have been a great one.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jim Geraghty: one of the more sensible National Review writers, October 3, 2006

By 

David Thomson "Second Rate Eric Hoffer Imitator" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Voting to Kill: How 9/11 Launched the Era of Republican Leadership (Paperback)

A number of writers at the National Review foolishly believe that it might be good if the Republican Party is rebuked in the November elections. Thankfully, Jim Geraghty has his head screwed on tight. The author clearly understands that the Democrats cannot be trusted with national defense issues. We are at war with Islamic nihilism and this struggle cannot be won if terrorism is considered merely a nuisance to be handled by our local police departments. No, the terrorists must be either killed or imprisoned. A middle ground solution is not viable.

The catchy title of chapter ten says it all: "You Can't Win If You're Angrier at Halliburton Than Osama bin Ladin." Too many Democrats perceive George W. Bush as far more of a menace than Islamic terrorism. One can't "Even Trust Hawkish Democrats," adds Geraghty. Such individuals are placed under enormous pressure by the leftists surrounding them on a daily basis. The risk that they might eventually capitulate is not worth taking. Geraghty points out that it is downright weird when left-winger Senator Hillary Clinton is "The Democrats' Most Unlikely Hawkish Role Model." Republicans, however, still "need to appear as reluctant warriors" and not overly eager war lovers. Destroying terrorists is a necessity, and not an inherently enjoyable activity.

The war on terror will not end anytime in the near future. Tragically, the GOP is the only game in town. We cannot afford to have "The Party of Terrorists' Rights" running our government during this Post 9/11 era. Please read Jim Geraghty's book before entering the voting booth next month. You should also consider buying a few extra copies to give to your friends and neighbors.

David Thomson
Flares into Darkness