NaBloPoMo, day eighteen: How To Rig An Election.
Today I'm recommending How To Rig An Election, which is by Allen Raymond, a former Republican political operative who actually went to prison over his involvement in a phone-jamming operation. It takes a look back at the events leading up to his imprisonment in a remarkably straight-forward fashion.
The book is witty and extremely fascinating, even as it completely depresses you. He doesn't make excuses for the things he did: he simply lays it out candidly, without asking for sympathy, which is a good part of why the book works. He's not making excuses and he doesn't go out of his way to make himself seem likable, but in the process, he earns your sympathy anyway, even though you know in the back of your mind that he probably doesn't deserve it. Somehow, though, you find yourself okay with that, because it's drawn you in so thoroughly.
Something important that I want to note: Raymond was a Republican operative, but at no point while I was reading or after I finished did I come away thinking, "Wow, all Republicans are corrupt and evil!" It's not that kind of book, and in fact, it's more depressing because of it; the message is much closer to, "Wow, all politics involves some level of corruption no matter what!" It's very apparent in the book that he's not remotely an ideologue, only joining the Republicans because of convenience and for practical reasons, making the story that much more powerful. Now, granted, as a liberal, this makes me sad, but as a cynic, it does not surprise me in the least.
He was on The Daily Show in early 2008 to promote this book, which can be seen here, for those who want to learn more. If this kind of thing intrigues you, and you don't mind having your hopes crushed a little or your fears confirmed, definitely check this book out.
The book is witty and extremely fascinating, even as it completely depresses you. He doesn't make excuses for the things he did: he simply lays it out candidly, without asking for sympathy, which is a good part of why the book works. He's not making excuses and he doesn't go out of his way to make himself seem likable, but in the process, he earns your sympathy anyway, even though you know in the back of your mind that he probably doesn't deserve it. Somehow, though, you find yourself okay with that, because it's drawn you in so thoroughly.
Something important that I want to note: Raymond was a Republican operative, but at no point while I was reading or after I finished did I come away thinking, "Wow, all Republicans are corrupt and evil!" It's not that kind of book, and in fact, it's more depressing because of it; the message is much closer to, "Wow, all politics involves some level of corruption no matter what!" It's very apparent in the book that he's not remotely an ideologue, only joining the Republicans because of convenience and for practical reasons, making the story that much more powerful. Now, granted, as a liberal, this makes me sad, but as a cynic, it does not surprise me in the least.
He was on The Daily Show in early 2008 to promote this book, which can be seen here, for those who want to learn more. If this kind of thing intrigues you, and you don't mind having your hopes crushed a little or your fears confirmed, definitely check this book out.