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Self-protection became a major value for the Bush administration especially in the second term when, despite a reelection, Bush's support fell to a record low for a US president and scandal after scandal came to public view.McClellan tells his story, and even as he reveals the negative dynamics that infused the administration, the reader senses his continuing admiration for George W Bush. He writes coherently and objectively as he tells the tale from the point of view of how and when things became known, and how his perspective and realizations gradually grew.This book does not have the feel of a partisan ploy or a disillusioned reactionary tone.
You will learn about history, personalities and culture. This is a political analysis, told with candor even if with chagrin.
Scott McClellan was a top strategist for Governor George Bush and followed him to the White House, becoming his press secretary at a later point. But McClellan does not play favorites.
It will not all be pretty, but it is not all totally ugly either. Scott tells the inside story of his growing disillusionment with the Bush administration and its culture of secrecy and deception.The author develops an analysis of what he calls the "permanent campaign," a mentality in which the concept of promotion, spin and garnering support even in office shifts focus from the needs of the people and the good of the nation as a whole.
McClellan, however, honestly evaluates where things went wrong, and how the president was personally involved in losing focus and allowing the political process to become a focus of media manipulation and personal glory and justification.This is an enlightening story, told from an insider's point of view.
I would like to have gotten more detail on the extent of Bush and Cheney's role inpressuring the CIA to support the WMD evidence and why Colin Powell allowed himself to be manipulated for so long.Unfortunately McClelllan didn't know exactly. He had a vision, perhaps even a noble one, but it was a very fuzzy visionthat he kept unrealistically simple. He comes across like the "emperer without his clothes", with surroundingcast, that was afraid to defy him. The book gives us an interesting perspective from inside the White House, but comes up somewhat short, becauseScott was not a true insider. "What Happened" The efforts of the Bush administration in attempting to win overpublic opinion for invading Iraq is presented quite clearly, and the probable intent to exposing Valerie Plamemake Karl Rove look pretty guilty. I strongly believe that George Bush has done tremendous damage to our countrywith his ill advised approach to Iraq. Without blatantly bashing George Bush, McClellan, offers insights, showing the depth of Bush's hatred of Suddamand his single minded obcession to correct his father's "mistake" of cutting off Desert Storm, rather than taking Suddam down then.Bush comes off as a decent, but arrogant guy.
Seems quite balanced. Excellent account of one man's perspective on the inner workings of the Bush administration.
Wow. or paints himself as a naive dupe.
I bought this book off a "Get These Books Out of Here" rack at my local library for $1.00. Personal responsibility, anyone.This book was so self-indulgent, the ooze came off in my hands.
First, I have to thank Scott McClellan for writing this book at a sixth-grade level; I don't think I would have understood it had he actually used language and syntax geared for adults.Everyone in Scott's family is a hero. He was president of student council during deseg in Texas and had--I am sooo impressed--a Hispanic girlfriend in 6th grade)., he was all too willing to engage in unprincipled, deceptive practices and then either blames a "permanent culture" that he couldn't undo (try the fraternity thing again, Scott).
I fear I paid too much. All of them are perfect students, great sports stars and supremely principled human beings.
What a burden it must be.Yet, despite these heroic beginnings (Scott almost single-handedly changed the entire UT fraternity system.
All the same, I find that most of his conclusions about the unsavoury state prevailing in politics are entirely valid. McClellan only became wise in hindsight. And even then he still finds plenty of excuses to make for many of his former partners in crime. Scott McClellan's book is worth reading even though it does not tell us anything that has not been in the public arena for a long time. Personally, I would have been much more impressed by his criticism of this deplorable state if he had written this book before he was, effectively, fired from his position in the White House. Of course, much the same philosophy is nowadays just as prevalent in the actions of so many of our business leaders. Whilst the book is slow going most of the time, Scott McClellan makes his points about the Culture of Deception so prevailing in politics all around the world very well. Or, perhaps, it has spread from big business into politics.Anyway, it is a great pitty that Mr.
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