Whatever It Takes: The Real Struggle for Political Power in America [Paperback]

Elizabeth Drew (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1998

Elizabeth Drew's book on campaign finance reform has been referred to throughout the Congressional committee investigation of campaign finance abuses. This "bible" of campaign reform not only has been instrumental in issuing subpoenas to people and groups at the hearings, but has single-handedly informed the electorate of the dark and hidden places in our political system. In this provocative account of the real political clash of 1996--the fight for the House of Representatives--Drew introduces us to a set of characters who had a huge impact on our politics and on the outcome of the election. With her access to back rooms and secret meetings she reveals the strategies conservative groups were willing to take to ensure victory in the House, and demonstrates conclusively that the revelations of abuses of the finance laws by the Clinton team cost the Democrats the House.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Political commentator Drew has written the book for all Americans concerned about campaign finance improprieties. She tells the story of how political interest groups, in conjunction with both the major political parties, influenced the raising and spending of campaign monies in the 1996 presidential and congressional campaigns. Focusing primarily on Republican efforts (though also alluding to the Democrats), Drew discusses these groups (Christian Coalition, National Beer Wholesalers Association, National Rifle Association, etc.) that mobilize their membership for candidates in local, state, and, in particular, federal races. Relying on interviews with these groups' leaders and party insiders, Drew reveals how "hard" money (which can be legally used on behalf of candidates) and "soft" money (which can be raised and spent on "issues" instead of candidates but are run in races against vulnerable opponents) can circumvent current campaign finance laws. Highly recommended for all collections.?Patricia Hatch, Insurance Inst. for Property Loss Reduction, Boston
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Drew's franchise in instant beltway political history (10 books since the mid-seventies, most recently On the Edge (1994) and Showdown (1996), continues with a thoughtful examination of the 1996 elections, treating the presidential contest as "only a component" in "the real struggle [over] who will have hegemony in our politics for the next ten to fifteen years." Drew's is a character-driven narrative, focusing on key lobbyists and activists on the Right (Americans for Tax Reform, the National Beer Wholesalers Association, the Christian Coalition, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the National Rifle Association) and the Left (the AFL-CIO and EMILY's List) and following the reelection fights of three GOP congressmen (in Washington, Massachusetts, and Iowa) as well as the Clinton and Dole campaigns and the "total war" fund-raising on all sides. There are few heroes in Whatever It Takes; it may well engender cynicism, not activism, for serious campaign finance reform. But Drew's study is full of useful information and should undoubtedly circulate in libraries where her previous political studies have drawn readers. Mary Carroll --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Updated edition (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140268588
• ISBN-13: 978-0140268584
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,226,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, well-researched political junkie book, September 4, 2000

By 

Jonathan Robbins "Jonathan Robbins" (Redwood City, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Whatever It Takes: The Real Struggle for Political Power in America (Paperback)

For those of us who love modern political histories, this a very good book. It examines campaign finance in the real world, with highly detailed and researched insights into how one modern election was approached by candidates and those with money. it has some fascinating inside scoops and details that washington-insiders and those who follow politics closely will love. For example, it examines the role of gingrich and other republicans during the budget debates and government shut-down, providing details I've never heard before (and I read the Wash. Post each day and review articles and books on this subject often.

Bottom line: if you want a good look into how money really corrupts our politicians, and a glimpse into how much power the interest groups have, read this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who Do I Have To Sleep With?, July 30, 2004

By 

John G. Hilliard (Toronto Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Whatever It Takes: The Real Struggle for Political Power in America (Paperback)

I am a political junkie and have found this author to be one of the better ones when it comes to detailing the inside the beltway battles. This is almost a unique talent, to be able to basically detail one conversation after another and make it exciting is no small feat. This book details out the political action committees, special interest groups and lobbyists in their rather unseemly pursuit of gaining favor and influence with the only group of people that actually get paid to spend half of their time begging for money, Congressmen. The book details out what took place in the 1996 elections, not from the point of view of the politicians, but from the point of view of the people who are paid to bribe, sorry I mean influence the politicians.

Even though I have read a great number of books about modern politics, this was the first time I read a whole book detailed to this part of the Soft Money generation process. You almost feel like you need a shower after each chapter of this book. The non stop cajoling and sweat talking these guys and gals had to do was just a bit sickening. I guess it is like the old saying about sausage, it is great to eat but you do not what to watch it being made. About the only redeeming quality these special interest people had was that they really did come off in the book to be committed to whatever was there group. I guess it may be the only way to be successful in that type of job.

The author spent most of her time focusing on the Republican races and mostly conservative groups. The author explained that this focus was due to the fact that the Democrats held the White House and she wanted to focus on the challengers. This made sense to me, but the dirt she digs up on the way these people do business tends not to leave them in a good light. Given that she focuses mostly on the Republicans, it does seem to give the impression that the book is somewhat bias. Then again maybe it was just me as I tend not to be a big fan of rather right leaning groups, but like to read balanced books. Overall was my only concern with the book. The book was well written and very informative. It is a wonderful item to add to your collection and really opens your eyes to just how unattractive fund raising is.