Rating: 
Summary: Explains a lot
Review: This book "jarred loose" some questions that had been disturbing me for a while -- all the way from the disputed election to the actions after September 11 and beyond. Something wasn't right. While I never read a lot of the matters in detail while they were going on, this book confirmed a lot of unease I was feeling.I won't reiterate the issues raised by Paul Waldman - he writes them clearly and understandably. But basically, the book deals with Bush's manipulation of the media, his building up of a "down home" type of persona, his "turn around of the meaning" explanations concerning tax cuts (Waldman makes use of Orwell's "doublespeak) as well as his "war on terrorism." Most thinking people, whether conservative or liberal will find a lot of food for thought. Also fascinating was the insight that the Republican Party - a party begun under Abraham Lincoln Of The Emancipation Proclamation - has become more and more reactionary and "conservative" in the most negative sense - especially on social issues. In other words, the Republican party of today has turned into something I don't know any more. This has all troubled me a lot. For my entire adult voting life, I would probably be called an economic "conservative" - if, by that term, we refer to being pro private enterprise, opposing excessive government handouts, and taking the idea that it is business in general and people in particular who produce the wealth from which our taxes come. From a social viewpoint, I may be more of a centrist, as I am also very concerned about the problems of the poor and the targets of racial and gender discrimination. (Yes, I value "property rights," which the conservatives favor greatly - but then, I also want my civil rights.) My reason for not giving this book five stars is when it got into partisan politics and tried to show one party as being more interested in people than the other. For sure, conservatives need to treat their workers fairly as well as guard against racial and gender discrimination. Government regulations came about because many businesses treated their employees badly in the past; that's a matter of historical record. Working people, racial minorities and women have not always fared well from policies advocated by conservatives. Liberals, however, need to realize business and economic activity generate taxes. Businesspeople, for sure, are not angels and yes, we do need some government regulation. But Liberals must remember that government people are not angels, and we need accountability on both sides to restrain greed, which runs rampant in both business and government. I recommend the book highly.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautifully written. Tragically true.
Review: This book builds an overwhelming case against the political machine which is the Bush presidency. Moreover, it clearly exposes the Orwellian tactics employed by administration operatives and reveals the truth about a little man in a big job whose audacity is only trumped by his mendacity. The truth is that this emperor has no clothes! Lazy journalists, here's your chance to redeem yourselves. My only hope is that the stories presented here grow legs and make a run for it!
Rating:
Summary: Machiavelli in Action
Review: This book is one of the best, and concise expositions of the Bush approach to politics out there. The relentless dissembling and masking of the true character, intent, and actions of the Bush administration has been more than effective. One could use it as an example of Machiavelli in action--never reveal your true motives, feign decency and piety while being utterly ruthless, and above all, align with and support the rich and powerful at the expense of all others. The value of the book is how the author reveals the extent and comprehensiveness of the fraud. It isn't just a few lies here and there like most politicians, but deception and misinformation as a method and means of governing. Starting with inventing a "good ol boy" personna for Bush before the election, to hiding behind false labels pinned to legislation (the "Clear Skies" initiative)and, of course, the non-existant WMD. The author tackles the deception around the budget busting tax cut for rich Americans especially well. The participation of the media in this fraud is scary because democracy ultimately depends on an informed electorate.
Anyone, who doesn't want to remain willfully ignorant regarding the pathology of Bush and his cronies needs to read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: The only Fraud Is Perpetrated by Waldman
Review: This book is typical George Bush-hating garbage. It's tailor made for people who'd rather foment their uninformed and ignorant bitterness and anger about President Bush than face the real facts. Constantly repeating the fabrication that President Bush "lied," is "stupid," or is a "liar," a Bush-hater stock in trade, doesn't make it true. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. President Bush has done more in his 4 years in office to advance the cause of freedom than most did with two terms. Waldman is completely ridiculous. For example, in his book Waldman claims that President Bush's alleged "inarticulate speech" is a con made up by his handlers to make him seem real to the public. What a joke. For years the liberal left has mocked President Bush for his alleged "garbled" speech and constantly claims he isn't very bright (even though he's smart enough to beat them every time). Now, Waldman says that Bush is so smart, he (and Karl Rove) uses his supposed improper syntax as an affectation to conspiratorily con voters into believing he's a "real person," when in fact he's just a media creation. What a load of crap! George Bush may be a lot of things, but he certainly isn't a phony or a media creation. Both the Bush-hating left and Waldman need some serious therapy. Who can believe this stuff?!?!? Certainly not any rationally thinking person.
Rating:
Summary: On the political fence...
Review: This book is very interesting. I'm pretty much on the fence politically, but have always believed that the media was in favor of the left. The examples Fraud provides and the explanations of the Bush strategies were baffling and really changed my opinion. I also appreciated the readability of this book.
Rating:
Summary: This is a great book!
Review: This is a great book. The problem is, they wrote it about Bill Clinton. The publisher for some reason but George Bush's name in there. Anybody know how I can contact them?
Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: This is a great read... For books similar to this, please visit www.campaign2004.com.
Rating:
Summary: Shocking and fact-filled
Review: This is no political screed but a fact-filled, immensely reasonable look at the realities of the Bush administration. Well, let's call them what they are, what the book calls them, but the press will not: lies. And the failure of the press to expose those lies is at the sad heart of this beautifully argued book. The author adeptly shows how a faked candidate has fooled much of the country with a faked presidency. It took effort to disguise the President's privilege, past and positions on many issues before the election, but spin and outright lies aided his acession to the highest office in the land, and continue to convince far too many people that this man is a man of the people, honest, forthright, caring, devoted to freedom. For those who are Republicans or independents wondering if there's any truth here, I would recommend going right to the section that discusses how the Bush campaign fought and destroyed John McCain with lies so ugly they're almost unbelievable. But then it's all true, as is the Orwellian nature of an administration that camouflages the reality of most of its policies with lovely rhetoric. At a time when dissent--which Jefferson considered one of a citizen's highest duties--is miscast by our present administration and allies in Congress and the media, as treason, reading this book is an act of true patriotism.
Rating:
Summary: In a word: brilliant
Review: This is one of the most well-crafted and brilliantly written books I've ever read. The analysis is incisive, clever, and downright genius at times, though the content and the extent to which this administration has deceived the American public is disturbing at times. A great and necessary read for anyone interested and un-interested in politics.
Rating:
Summary: It sucks.
Review: This man is a raving nutcase. He is severerly in need of medical-psychiatric attention. Who paid for this piece-of-crap hit-piece? Richard Gere? The two of them together have less IQ points than degrees on a Bemidji, Minnesota thermometer on New Years Eve. What a waste of printer's ink and paper. It should be printed on very soft paper so you can wipe with it.
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