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Summary: Niccolo must have kept better company
Review: An interesting and engaging writer and speaker, Mr. Morris illustrates how pandering to populism's most basic instincts will win one an election. However, in doing so, he equally illustrates that a government led in this manner speaks ill of democracy, ill of the electorate, and even more ill of their leaders. His exemplary argument that the current electorate is better informed than previous generations is misleading: they may have more information as he states, but if their opinions can be altered by such rhetoric, they are certainly less likely to apply critical reasoning, know the limits of their insight, or the long term effects of policy decisions. By demonstration and example he creates an indirect but persuasive argument for the dangers of populism by poll and paints 'the worst kind of democracy' more vividly than any historian ever could. Like the people he counsels, Mr. Morris focuses all too much on what can be done in leading a democracy by maintaining individual political popularity, rather than what should be done for the good of the people and the future of the state. If not for his energy and progressive voice, and for the sometimes sad ring of truth in each point, the vision of a people led by such sycophants is dark, Orwellian, and devoid of hope. He does nothing whatsoever to provide a guide for politicians becoming strong and popular statesmen, yet he does, by accident, contribute to the current debate about the relationship between culture, rule of law, liberalism and democracy-- not as a commentator, but as a sidebar. Niccolo would not have approved.
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Summary: Some People Say They Speak The Truth, Dick Morris Does It!
Review: Another straight forward, straight talking and an insider's informative book which the public and all political pundits will enjoy. Dick Morris for all who critique him pretty much follows the public's wishes and get them what they want and this book helps explain that in vivid detail. Whatever you want to say about Mr. Morris, I tell you now, he is a refreshing breath of reality in politics and is not afraid to speak his mind or convey his attitude of knowledge which is considerable. When confronted by scandal he admits the truth, takes responsibility and moves on with life, the exact same thing the Bible and any Self-Help book teaches you.. The book does the same in many aspects of the subject matter. We are never perfect, but we can try to be, and Dick Morris comes closest to political perfection than any other political person in awhile. The book is excellent pure excellence.
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Summary: Title doesn't match content
Review: Dick Morris is brilliant (in most professional situations), and this book is chock full of his thinking. But in terms of an expose on how present-day political adminsitrations reflect Machiavellian principles, it comes up short. One would have expected to see some direct ties between Prince espousings and what he has observed in his various capacities, but save the first few paragraphs in the intro which mention Machiavelli, the book is void of any reference to Machiavelli's theses. It is more a giving of personal views and opinions at how politics should work.
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Summary: A Roadmap to winning an election - but what then?
Review: Dick Morris' is without doubt a brilliant political consultant and tactitian. His new text is in essence an "Anarchist's Cookbook" for the politician who wants to win an election - regardless of party, ideology or character. In fact, he argues that character is no longer so important - certainly not as important as the candidate's message.My great disappointment, however, was that Dick's book is only a partial revisit to Macchiavelli's works (The Prince, Discourses). While Macchiavelli stresses the importance of character, and centers his thesis for a successful republic on righteous leadership that is focused upon the welfare of the people, Dick remains committed to the "message" and "issues", only. "Jeffersonian Democracy" in his eyes is based on public opinion NOW - with all of its fickleness, partisanship and emotional "heat of the moment" decisionmaking. Like his most famous protege', it is my personal opinion that Mr. Morris possesses no moral compass and no real concept of LEADERSHIP under fire. Tough decisions often must be made from controversial options, and as in Chess, the long term "end game" is what's really important - especially in foreign affairs and National security. This is where character, strong will and moral authority really play a role - if you possess them. Dick Morris is the recognized master at waging and winning political war - but what does one do after the victory? Many of thus are still asking that question.
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Summary: Good observations...less than desirable messenger
Review: For many liberal Democrats like myself, Mr. Morris's plan to take the Democratic party rightward was a mixed blessing. On one hand, it cracked the Republican stranglehold on suburbia that hardened during the Reagan-Bush years and insulated Clinton from appearing too soft--charges that had plauged both George McGovern and Walter Mondale during their respective candidacies. On the other hand, it appropriated some of the very same imagery and concepts that people such as myself found repugnant such as overly simplistic notions of faith and family. Morris's observations come from a man who was in the trenches of what many people said was impossible past the 1960's--a two term Democratic adminstration that managed to retain the support of more solidly left groups on civil rights, reproductive issues and idenity politics while reaching out and embracing fiscal conservatives and moderates who would other wise believe that every democrat is uniformally of the "Tax and Spend" and "godless" variety. Indeed, there is a certain irony that a man who encouraged the Democratic party to downplay some of it's most distingushing principles on social policy wound up himself subject to some virtrolic character examinations following public disclosure of a political affair of his own. Although the resulting fallout did not profoundly impact his boss's success, it did damage Morris's own ability to effect political change and realignment. What had seemed creepy and moralizing before now appeared to be laughably hypocritical and ironically self-serving.
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Summary: Good Lessons for 2002
Review: I have seen Dick Morris occasionally on Fox News. He seems to be very intelligent, and his role in the Clinton administration is legendary. His book The New Prince is not just his version of Chris Matthews Hardball. Instead, it is a political self help book, loosely based on The Prince, by Machiavelli. It offers some very good advice, though it is not written for average people, like Hardball. There is also a shortage of stories to illustrate Morris's points. Instead of being a book for the curious, it is a handbook for a future politician. The most valuable part of the book is very applicable in the 2002 Texas Gubernatorial race: Focus on the issues, and don't rely on negative campaigning.
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Summary: Want to survive in workplace and get ahead?
Review: I read this book and applied the concepts to overcome a seemingly impossible situation. Result, I got one of the highest ratings in my department. My department is also one of the best and the toughest to succeed in. I like this book because it is well organized and you do not have to read it cover to cover. You simply review the section you need advice on. I wish Morris would write a book about staying in the top ranks after you succeed.
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Summary: Give the Devil his due
Review: I went through three stages in my read of this book; each lasted about 1/3 of the whole.First came depression, than nausea, then a calm realization that I was reading an abridged manifesto of an advertising genius, who has chosen politics as his pitch. He has been deceitfully selective in illustrating his methods; incomplete in some of his examples, dishonest and evasive in others. His Jeffersonian, direct democracy, has a serious flaw that has been pointed out early in our history and speaks to the mischief going on in Washington today. (Paraphrasing) "Once the public discovers they can vote themselves economic advantage, Democracy ends";in effect reversing JFK's inspirational, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" Dick Morris is a left wing idealogue having some fun. He attended the same High School I did (I with Vlad.Pozner, he with Nussbaum and BenViniste) in the shadow of UNION SQUARE in NYC. He practices the deceits of the left but is very good at appearing ecuminical. He still peddles the idea that Hillary's failure with medical care reform lost the Dems. Congress; anyone this side of stupid knows it was Bills uneccessary tax increase. The reason why our economy is doing so well,is because the world knows tax increases now are the 3rd rail of U.S. politics and may never be seen again, short of a real war. He expresses astonishment, widely shared, that the GOP mounted such an ineffective effort in exposing the tactics of the left. My guess is they were stunned by the complicity of the media in debasing their positions, and missed (and still miss) the services of a Lee Atwater. Dick Morris in his wisdom knows that the media is in the pocket of the left on issues, and the public is intellegent to the extent it will open a gift wrapped box put before it. The likes of Bill Clinton and Dick Morris are a sinister confluence that hopefully occur only once a millenium. P.Price
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Summary: Illuminating commentary on recent U.S. political history
Review: If you can get past any preceived ideas you might have of Mr. Morris, this is an insightful discussion of modern U.S. politics. Morris did not invent modern political polling, he just raised it to an art form. The real villian is neither Morris or Machiavelli. The real and dangerous villian is the Prince who seeks to achieve, first and foremost, political power for himself and distantly second, if at all, to enhance the welfare of the state. Machevelli's and Morris's genius is not in what they created, but rather in what they were able to discern already in operaton in the real world. These observations, which escaped all others until pointed out, are condemned along with the writers as evil incarnate. Morris illustrates how modern politics operates and what motivates our modern politician. Machiavelli's and Morris's most important observation is "Get Real". This is how the game evolved and is now played. To be in the game, either as a player or as an educated observer, Morris book provides timely and valuable insights.
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Summary: !!!Great Book!!!
Review: In this book Morris is able to potray the highlights and less wonderful things about modern politics. Unlike most books where they just focus on the bad. Also, I'm yet to finish I'm only approx. 2/3 of the way through, and he has still maintained a non-partison outlook on politics! !!!!!HIGHTLY RECOMEND IF YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN POLITICS!!!!!
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