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| How to Rig an Election: Confessions of a Republican Operative | 
 enlarge | Author: Allen Raymond
Creator: Ian Spiegelman
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Category: Book
List Price: $25.00
Buy New: $5.75
You Save: $19.25 (77%)
Buy New/Used from $5.51
Avg. Customer Rating:  (25 reviews)
Sales Rank: 186179
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2
ISBN: 1416552227
Dewey Decimal Number: 364.132409742
EAN: 9781416552222
ASIN: 1416552227
Publication Date: January 8, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Fresh out of grad school, Allen Raymond joined the GOP for one reason: rumor had it that there was big money to be made on the Republican side of the aisle.From the earliest days of the Republican Revolution through its culmination in the second Bush White House, Raymond played a key role in helping GOP candidates twist the truth beyond recognition during a decade of crucial and bitterly fought campaigns. His career took him from the nastiest of local elections in New Jersey backwaters through runs for Congress and the Senate and right up to a top management position in a bid for the presidency itself. It also took him to prison. Full of wit and candor, Raymond's account offers an astonishingly frank look at the black art of campaigning and the vagaries of the Republican establishment. Unlike many "architects" of the political scene, the author takes full responsibility for his actions -- even as he never misses a trick. A completely original tale of the disillusioning of a man who enters politics with no illusions, How to Rig an Election is a brilliant and hilarious expose of how the contemporary political game is really played.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 20 more reviews...
 you've got to read this June 15, 2008
This is a great book for the lover of politics. It makes you realize just how evil the Republicans truly can be (I'm an independent). He tells tales of dirty politics and even their own infighting. Fascinating reading.
An Informative and Entertaining Inside Look at Campaigning May 30, 2008
This was a very short, entertaining, and enlightening book about a man who's managed campaigns for guys one level from the very top (The Steve Forbes and National Senate level) of U.S. government. He's candid and talks about some of the dirty yet entertaining tactics he's used over the years, such as conducting an annoying phone poll during something important like the Super Bowl or Easter Sunday while pretending to be working for your opponent. Allen's not just a smart guy, he's a funny guy, and that definitely comes across in the book. One complaint about this book is that it was too short. The 240 pages are small, and the print is big, so I was (and still am) wanting more. Also, keep in mind that although immoral tactics are discussed often, illegal activities are only lightly touched on. But don't worry, there's enough unsavory activity here to make you lose a considerable amount of faith in the democratic process as it exists today. It's fun, it's educational, and it makes for great conversation during election years, so it comes highly recommended.
Breath of Fresh Air May 1, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Allen Raymond has written a witty but cynical view of politics as "played" today. He basically portrays the superiority of the Republican party to play "hardball" and shows the Dems as mostly whining about the "system".
Virtually nothing has changed. This is a great read but it will make you cynical about our political process. Raymond does throw down the gauntlet at the end of his book and challenge citizens to make a difference.
But to make a difference, citizens would have to read this book and understand the fallacy of having millionaire pundits and news readers shaping the political landscape.
This is not dry reading. Raymond and his co-author have made this view of our political sewers most entertaining. Maybe the man is bragging about how he played the game. But most citizens don't understand the game. If we did, we would demand a meaningful dialog of public policy issues. But any politician who tries that is lampooned by the media as boring. Our culture wants to be entertained. Mr. Raymond shows how dangerous that can be.
Would be funnier yet if not so serious April 22, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Allen Raymond gives us an insider's view of how one has to operate to work up the career ladder of the modern GOP, and it ain't pretty.
If not for the amorality involved, a number of the episodes would be even funnier, with how language is narrowly and lawyerly parsed to claim legality for ethically dubious actions, for example.
Suck-up-itis toward GOP higher-ups combined with various forms of shivving and back-stabbing toward equals is also funny. At the same time, it increases the pressure to produce results, such as what Raymond did.
Also interesting, just as an aside, was his observation about the cliqueishness and status-conscious nature of the Village of insider Washington, such as Congressional chiefs of staff dine only with other chiefs of staff, and not legislative assistants, etc.
The biggest thing I found missing was a bit more on the post-prison Raymond. Is he still a Republican? Independent? Democrat? Is he now apolitical? As someone in a position to know, does he have recommendations on how to further reform the current campaign and campaign finance situation?
Also, although he expressed some degree of regret at his resentencing hearing, how does he feel now, with more hindsight? And, what exactly is he doing with his life and career?
The second biggest thing that's missing, which may align with another reader's impression that this was a bit of a rush job? No index.
Overall, a pretty informative work on the "sausage making" of campaign politics, but could have used some more depth.
The Inside Story April 4, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If you have ever wondered what the insides of politics looks like, this is the book for you. It is not a Republican bashing book if that turns any prospective readers away. It simply tells the life and career of a Republican worker, who happens to sway the election to their side in his own way.
The author is very easy to read and hilarious at times. He basically is a Karl Rove, but just lower in rank.
This book is a great, quick read and should be on all political junkies' shelves.
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