Corruption of American Politics: What Went Wrong and Why

by Elizabeth Drew

Book Overview

Washington reporter Elizabeth Drew presents a timely book all Americans interested in government reform must read--a revelatory look into how campaign finance has corrupted American politics. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1585670499
• ISBN13: 9781585670499
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Overlook Books
• Length: 278 Pages
• Weight: 4.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.3" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Was this book a factor in campaign finance reform passage?

Campaign finance reform finally passed, and this book may have been a factor. I have been reading Elizabeth Drew since the Nixon years, and am happy to report that she still writes as well as ever and still offers a trenchant analysis of issues that most of the public, regrettably, doesn't give a damn about. Since a campaign finance reform bill finally passed, much of what Drew writes about here will soon be obsolete, and she would probably be happier about that than anyone. But, if history is a guide, some way will be found around the new laws, and Drew will be writing another book about corruption in years hence.The corruption, she writes, is endemic to the system itself. Its' very simple--it takes money to win an election, and those with a lot of money have an inherent advantage. Those who don't have money need to get it somehow, and this book will tell you how that's done, sometimes legally, sometimes quasi-legally, and sometimes downright illegally. Drew spares no one. Although it is clear that Drew leans to the liberal side on issues, she is equally scathing in her laceration those whose machinations perpetuate the current system. Probably the one person she treats most mercifully is Bill Clinton, deservedly so for what he has done to demean the presidency. She also deplores the intense partisanship and lack of civility that have pervaded Washington in the past decade.If the book has a hero, it is Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee, who, regrettably, just announced he will not be seeking reelection. Other reformers like McCain, Feingold, Shays, and Meehan come off well at least insofar as being principled, if not especially keen legislative tactitians. It is essential, however, for any conscientious citizen to be informed about the issues with which this book deals.

A familiar tale well told

I didn't vote for Nader and LaDuke this last election, but I understand why there were lots of voters who did. There may be differences between the Democratic and Republican "visions," but one thing both parties see clearly enough is $$$$ galor, soft, hard and in the shades of grey between. This, plus the eroding of even a modicum of civility and decorum in the House and Senate (I worked on Capitol Hill during the Seventies and, yes, both chambers USED to be civilized; thanks for nothing, Newt!) and the other ways in which our governing branches have fallen apart, are examined by Elizabeth Drew in detail and with a great deal of (warranted) dismay and disgust. And contrary to the folks here who've complained of Drew's so-called liberal bias, damned few current senators or representatives of any political stripe come out of this book without smelling. Senator Fred Thompson is one of the few who does emerge unscathed, hardly a "fiery liberal spirit," to paraphrase Tom Lehrer. This book may or may not be revelatory overall, but, more likely, it'll confirm what you've suspected all along---the system'll stay broke so long as money and special interests call the tune. Slick Willie's latest post-presidency revelations certainly indicate that this much is true and Mitch McConnell's only allegiance has been to the almighty dollar, anyway, so....but enough. A good, provocative book that should boil your blood.

Best Current Political Analysis Available Today

Though the title, "The Corruption of American Politics" would lead you to believe the book concerns bribery and graft, the contents are more disheartening. Ms. Drew has laid bare the hypocracy of Washington politics on both sides of the aisle. The common voter has no understanding of the continuous exchange of money in Washington. The voter has a perception that something is amiss but is unable to separate political rhetoric from fact. I have been in Washington, durring session, and attended Congressional fundraisers. The sight of seeing your elected Congressman pandering to the well healed and well influenced, while at the same time considering issues directly affecting their interests, is sickening. Fundraisers on the eve of significant votes, while not bribery, is political bribery. Ms. Drew has drawn a bead on the most significant issue facing our Republic.

Money does not equal free speech

The book is a compelling argument for campaign finance reform, and a sobering portrait of the petty bickering, hypocrisy, and corruption inherent in the current system of federal elections. The reviewer from Washington, D.C., is not to be trusted; he or she misrepresents the First Amendment issues that hypocrits like Mitch McConnell use to scuttle reform bills. Drew devotes a whole chapter to the First Amendment, shining light on how soft money is used to fund "issue ads" that aren't about issues at all but are designed to target specific candidates. In the end, the current system favors incumbents or wealthy individuals, and leads to bribery of elected officials. Despite their rhetoric, people opposed to campaign finance reform are not defending the First Amendment; they are simply using any means possible to stay in power and thwart true representation in government.

Timely and provocative; the best on today's politics.

Ms. Drew has done it again. Her new book is so timely that you can use it as a reference when stories of how money is influencing politics appear, as they do so often, in your daily newspaper. The China influence in politics? It's there. How the FBI and Justice fouled up the Thompson hearings? It's in the book. How did we careen from the high hopes after the Nixon resignation to the depths of sleeze and influence -peddling? It is in the book. Wonderfully written, The Corruption of American Politics should be read by every thinking American...but that might be too small an audience.