Fat Man Fed Up: How American Politics Went Bad

by Jack W. Germond

Book Overview

For more than forty years, Jack Germond has been covering politics for Gannett newspapers, the Washington Star, and the Baltimore Sun, and talking politics on the Today show, The McLaughlin Group, and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1400061547
• ISBN13: 9781400061549
• Release Date: July 2004
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Charting the downward spiral of American politics.

Jack Germond has been a reporter for fifty years, and in that time, he has seen it all. "Fat Man Fed Up" is a scathing indictment of the process that has made the American electoral system a shallow and hypocritical exercise. Germond points his finger at an indifferent electorate, the media, and at politicians themselves, who, in his opinion, all share some of the blame for the decline of American politics. Germond quotes a publisher named Gray who flatly states that "we get about what we deserve" in terms of our elected officials at all levels of government. Many voters are poorly informed about issues, and they are impatient with politicians who discuss the economy or foreign policy in detail. Such voters look for attractive and likeable candidates, and they often reject more qualified individuals who are less charismatic. Almost half of all Americans do not bother to vote at all. How then can we complain when so many mediocre individuals are elected to represent us? Germond skewers the print and broadcast media, who pounce on every peccadillo and scandal in a politician's background, but who fail to balance things by giving thoughtful coverage to the important issues of the day. Small wonder that so many voters throw up their hands in despair when they consider their options. After all, they think, aren't all politicians lying crooks? If we believe what we read in the papers and see on television, we might think that there are no honest elected officials working hard day after day to make our country a better place. In addition, Germond decries the state of campaigning in this country. We live in an age when sound bites and the political attack ad rule the airwaves, and candidates' handlers heavily guard them lest they make a political gaffe that will end their chances. The result is that the voters have little or no opportunity to get to know the candidates, and many voters end up casting their ballots for an image rather than for a person. Germond also reserves plenty of invective for meaningless political conventions, right-wing talk shows, misleading polls, and politicians who misrepresent themselves and spend tremendous amounts of money to buy an electoral victory. Some readers will be turned off by Germond's brutal honesty and salty language. He makes no effort to sugarcoat his criticism of politicians who have failed to distinguish themselves as candidates or as elected officials. Nor does he hold back in his harsh appraisal of the media and the public. However, whether you agree with him or not, Germond's comments are timely, literate, and informative. Germond fails to wrap things up with a chapter listing facile solutions that will get American politics back on track quickly. In fact, he doubts that any easy solutions exist. However, the first step to addressing a problem is to admit that it exists. If enough people read Germond's book, it is possible that we will start to think about ways to bring American po

Warning--truth ahead

Jack Germond has been a writer on the political beat since roughly the Lincoln administration (just kidding, Jack). And he's reached a point in his life where he's free to speak his mind, even more directly and forcefully than he has throughout his career, which is saying a lot. This book will likely make some people on both ends of the political spectrum uneasy, but I consider it to be a very, VERY welcome addition to the public dialog.

BEST POLITICAL BOOK OF THE SEASON

By far, the most entertaining and insightful book of the 2004 political season is the newly-released FAT MAN FED UP. It is a "must read" for serious students of American electoral politics and the four-year cycle of its continual decay. Germond, one of the most experienced political reporters in the country, is at his best, both witty and biting, in his assessment of presidential elections, candidates, and, of course, the electorate itself. Do yourself a favor and read it before voting in November.

Sad indictment of the state of American politics

Jack Germond has over 40 years experience in covering politics, from the city level right through Presidential campaigns. He's seen it all: the boozers, the philanderers, the corrupt, the ignorant, the ideologue, and the idealist. He uses that experience to demonstrate how our political system has gotten to the point where people care more about hairstyles and superficial symbols over real substance and constructive debate. Sometimes, the stories are pretty funny, but generally, this is a depressing and unforgiving look at both print and (especially) television "journalism" and how they are used by the two major parties to keep out any potential competitors, and to keep the complicated issues we face simplified beyond resolution into sound bites. I sincerely doubt that the anonymous reviewer(s) from D.C. actually read the book, as no specific examples of their complaint are offered for examination. Germond has almost always acted as the force of moderation, with a degree of what used to be called "horse sense" sorely lacking in so many of today's columnists and anchors. His stories span the once-wider stretches of our political spectrum and the now-forgotten civility between the parties, and I can't blame him for decrying how spin, never-ending campaigns, and millions upon millions of campaign dollars have either discouraged the average voter or created voting blocks incapable of independant thought. I can't imagine a better way to spend an evening or two reading this and imagining sitting with Jack over a steak and a couple of martinis, wistfully reminiscing over what promise our country held, and wondering desperately how we can get back on track. A great read, highly recommended.

A Veteran Looks Back With Sorrow and Disdain

Jack Germond offers the insight of an old pro looking back, a respected Baltimore Sun political correspondent who gained fame throughout America as a regular commentator on the McLaughlin Report. His politics are liberal and he tells you so, but that does not mean that he lays all the blame in his reflective and highly critical analysis of the current political system on the political right. He believes that there is more than enough blame to go around on all sides.If anyone thought that Germond might spare the profession through which he made a handsome living from the criticism he levels at the system, the reader is promptly disabused of such a notion. Germond indicts his own profession harshly. Sure, he is aware and makes note of the importance of making a buck, selling advertising, and dramatizing stories. He laments the talking head trend and oversimplification in place of analysis, but does not indict commercialism as the sole beast. Germond believes that all too often reporters take the easy and lazy way out. Create an interesting story, spin it until it wears out, and save oneself a lot of thinking, not to mention shoe leather.As for the politicians, he reveals that the positions they take all too often involve pandering to a ready made base, a "don't rock the boat" attitude, rather than any solid belief in those core positions, which are stated emphatically, in the manner of a true believer, but to achieve effect rather than as a manifestation of conscience and analytical reflection. A candid comment from Senator Ernest Hollings of South Carolina is employed to move into an important domain of criticism. When Germond asked him point blank if he was considering running for president, Hollings replied, "Jack, senators think about running for president all the time."Hollings's frankness caused Germond to reflect on the matter. His conclusion is that at all levels of government, from city council to governors and U.S. senators, a stepping stone mentality remains steadfast. A popular councilman, rather than focusing intently on the district, is thinking about a next move up the ladder to Congress. Once elected to Congress, thoughts begin turning toward the senate. Alas, once in the senate thoughts turn toward the White House. Germond sees the "reach for the ring" distraction as redounding against the needs and interests of constituents who put the officeholders in office in the first place.Sloppy reporting, oversimplification, and dramatization in place of issue analysis have proved costly. The laziness of reporters along with the desire to spin a drama rather than provide the tools for reader and viewer education has resulted in a general dumbing down of the entire political process. Germond is informing us that we had better not hold our breath and expect any positive changes anytime soon.Hopefully Germond will be proven unduly pessimistic. He hopes so as much as we do. He tells us not to count on it, though, and sees hims