What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception by Scott McClellan
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(Hardcover)
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- ISBN: 1586485563
- Publisher: PublicAffairs
- Pub. Date: May 2008
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Comments from the Seller: 2008 Hardcover Very Good in Very good! jacket Lt edgewear to cover, very good condition overall! Thanks for your business! Your satisfaction is guaranteed!
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Synopsis
With unprecedented candor, one of George W. Bush's closest aides takes readers behind the scenes of the Bush presidency, and what exactly happened to take it off course.
Scott McClellan was one of a few Bush loyalists from Texas who became part of his inner circle of trusted advisers, and remained so during one of the most challenging and contentious periods of recent history. Drawn to Bush by his commitment to compassionate conservatism and strong bipartisan leadership, McClellan served the president for more than seven years, and witnessed day-to-day exactly how the presidency veered off course.
In this refreshingly clear-eyed book, written with no agenda other than to record his experiences and insights for the benefit of history, McClellan provides unique perspective on what happened and why it happened the way it did, including the Iraq war, Hurricane Katrina, Washington's bitter partisanship, and two hotly contested presidential campaigns. He gives readers a candid look into who George W. Bush is and what he believes, and into the personalities, strengths, and liabilities of his top aides. Finally, McClellan looks to the future, exploring the lessons this presidency offers the American people as we prepare to elect a new leader.
Seattle Times
The former press secretary of President Bush (No. 43 version) empties out his notebooks, and all of Washington will be holding its breath.
More Reviews and RecommendationsBiography
Scott McClellan served as White House press secretary from 2003 to 2006. before that he served as the principal deputy White House press secretary and as traveling press secretary for the bush-Cheney 2000 campaign. Earlier in his career, Mr. McClellan served as deputy communications director in the Texas governor's office and campaign manager for three successful statewide campaigns. He is now a senior adviser to a global technology firm and communications strategist. Born in Austin, Texas, he now lives near Washington, D.C
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A Must Read for All Leaders/Followers of National Politicsby DoctorPete
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03/31/2009: This book is truly a must read for all currently active players in national politics - at whatever level, of whatever Party and wherever positioned on the political spectrum - who truly aspire to serve our country first, before their Party, before their supporters and before their own personal self interests. It is a must read for all others of us who wish simply to cast informed and intelligent votes, or contribute their time and money wisely to support a particular Party or slate of candidates. It is a must read for still others who merely consider themselves students (serious or dillitante) of American politics and who look back on the last few decades and wonder "What ... (in holy hell) ... happened?"
The Bush43 presidency - all eight years of it - was a Shakspearian tragedy of monumental proportions, for him, for his cherished legacy, indeed for the entire nation. McClellan delves deeply into an explanation of just how and why. Especially rewarding is his explication of the "permanent campaign" style so prevalent and so deeply harmful in the national politics of our day, whose roots he traces clearly all the way back to Nixon and beyond, touching (perhaps too lightly) on Johnson's contributions.Is the book flawed? Yes, but not irredeemably so. Is it partisan? Yes, inevitably to a degree, but the author's writing reveals an honest, genuine effort to be fair and balanced. Might the reader wish some parts downplayed or eliminated outright as minimally relevant to the central story, and other parts greatly expanded upon as vital pieces to the puzzle? Yes, but upon completing it and laying the book down, this reader felt compelled to declare, "Thankyou so much, Scot. Now I feel I have not just a deeper understanding of what the hell really happened, but a goodly inkling of what needs to be done on all sides to heal the wounds.Excellent Piece of History We Should Never Forgetby Anonymous
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03/27/2009: McClellan presents a clear cut look from an insider into what became a political operation out of the people's White House, a symbol of freedom across the world.
For those who believe any person in government serves anybody but the people, they are wrong. McClellan showed the highest loyalty to all Americans by revealing the truth, and he finally, though belatedly, remembered that as a public servant, he answers to the public. What is truly revealing, is the point when Bush admits to McClellan as they are getting on Air Force One that Bush was the one who ordered the release of information and even kept his spokeperson out of the loop. Bush should tell all future Presidents that they don't serve their buddies, they serve all the American people.
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