Winning Back America [Paperback]

Like millions of Democrats, I was flabbergasted by the Supreme Court's "interpretation" of the 2000 election. I figured with our democracy so blatantly compromised, things in America couldn't get any worse... then they did. Lots worse. I felt alternately embarrassed and dumbfounded by the audacity of George W. Bush. The kicker came the morning after 15 million of us marched against his plan for a pre-emptive strike against Iraq. Bush's response to history's largest protest was "I don't care." If 15 million protestors around the world couldn't get this guy to re-think his position, and no one in Congress seemed to be noticing anything was amiss, well, what could I possibly do to make a difference?

Nothing. Or so I told myself. I was that discouraged... Totally lacking courage.

Then along came Howard Dean and the first thing I noticed was that he was pissed off, not just at the Bushies but also at the Democrats for abandoning their liberal ideals and becoming "Bush lite." Good point. Dean was also saying that he was "tired of being divided by race, gender, sexual orientation." And that touched me too. And then he said that we had "the power to take back our country." And that hit a chord -- in fact, it made me teary eyed from the potency of it. I suddenly found myself feeling encouraged about what could be done to change the direction of our government's policies so that those policies really represent who we are. I wanted to be part of that change.

Reading Dean's book I kept thinking that this guy cares so much about people and about moving America forward, it makes you care too.

It's time to join together and do the work. Howard Dean has reminded us that we have the power to take back America. So, if you've got some folks on your gift list who are feeling depressed about the way things have been going since Bush took over, buy them a copy of "Winning Back America". It works better than Paxil.

Let's stick to reviews of the book please. Howard Dean states a case for winning back America that is, in my opinion, articulate and intelligent.

In light of Al Gore's recent endorsement of the man, you owe it to yourself (if you want to be an informed voter) to read what the man HIMSELF has to say, and not rely on any "reviews" to decide for you. Including this one, of course.

Get it from the source. It's a well-written book, and worth your time.

The reader is immediately struck by the sense that this book is one of very few in the political world which is NOT ghost-written. The 15 chapters on topics ranging from Dean's personal background to geopolitical strategy are written in a highly conversational and inimitable style, as if Dean spent a few nights with a tape recorder for later transcription.

In the course of 179 pages, Dean traverses miles of relevant issues with characteristic insight and common sense. This reader's only disappointment was that the book lacks some of the depth Dean is capable of, if only due to the book's brevity.

The author's passion on civic life and good government is manifestly evident in his evocations of Theodore Roosevelt as his champion of an environmental vision that has withstood the test of time. Dean presents healthcare and balanced budgets with the vision of Kennedy - extolling the nation to do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard.

The book's introduction is a call to civic action, to work together in common cause, to restore America's sense of community, after years of being divided by past and present administrations on matters of race, gender, sexual orientation, and income.

The reader learns about Dean's roots as the eldest of four boys in a well-established family with American roots which can be traced back to the 18th century, his youth in East Hampton, his decision to choose medical school over a life in the investment banking business (explaining the one part he did like about investment banking was the money management), his global travels, his days at Yale, and how he met his wife Judith Steinberg.

While establishing his medical practice in Burlington, VT, Dean became involved in local politics after successfully campaigning for a bike trail around Lake Champlain. He served as Lt. Governor while maintaining his medical practice, becoming Governor at age 43 in 1991 upon the death of Richard Snelling, whose example Dean admired as a "person of integrity who wanted to run the government properly without regard to party". Dean proceeded to win five two-year terms as Governor, and here tips his cap to 30-40% of the Vermont Republicans who supported him (in addition to his Democrat and independent support), primarily for his fiscal responsibility.

Dean makes reference to his legendary "cheapness" in an amusing anecdote about a suit he bought at JCPenney in 1987 for $125, a story of Dean's utility and frugality (he still wears the suit), reminiscent of the charm from Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger at a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder's meeting.

The reader also learns about the death of his younger brother Charlie, how Dean overcame this loss, and how Charlie's death shaped Dean's outlook on life.

The second half of the book focuses on Dean's candidacy for President of the United States, our current situation and his ideas for the future. Dean points out that he knew George Bush as a straightforward man back when they were both Governors, and expresses his alarm at the radical departure from the relatively moderate governorship Bush provided in Texas (moderate by Texas standards anyway), and Bush's jerking the nation sharply to the right upon becoming president, contrary to Bush's past record and his campaign promises.

Here Dean spends several chapters focused on solving the issues of today's America - from job losses, budget deficits, the threat of terrorism, environmental degredation, and loss of community, to global epidemics and strife that threaten to engulf us all.

Dean makes his vision for America clearly stated in his views towards multilateralism and international cooperation, economic fairness, balanced budgets, and equal rights for all. Throughout, he emphasizes the values of truth, innovation and moral clarity in leadership. He makes a passionate and effective call for providing all of America's citizens with healthcare and secondary education, and how to make these things available and affordable for all, for the good of all.

He closes with the words of Marin Luther King who said "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter", and Dean repeats his constant admonition that "I am not going to tell any American that I can solve all their problems. That power is in your hands, not mine."

An excellent book which I can only hope to scratch the surface of in such a brief review, Howard Dean's Winning Back America is candid, timely, and highly recommended.