Misunderestimated: The President Battles Terrorism, John Kerry, and the Bush Haters

by Bill Sammon

Book Overview

A riveting portrait of President Bush as he broadens the war on terror overseas -- and plunges into high-stakes political battles at home "They misunderestimated me," George W. Bush famously remarked on the eve of his historic presidency. Fractured syntax aside, Bush was right: his detractors misunderstood his appeal to the American public, and underestimated his considerable political skills. In this compelling new book, Bill Sammon reveals how the...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060723831
• ISBN13: 9780060723835
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

The More I read, the more I like...

There are a lot of folks out there who like someone simply because what/who they aren't. There's no heart behind it, no greater reason, you ask them "well, why?" and the best response they can offer is "Well...Because." The great "Because" reason. And I admit, I voted for Bush in 2000 because he wasn't Gore and of course I was set to vote for Bush again because he wasn't Kerry. Sammon's book is only the sixth book I've read on the "current affiars" of the politics of our country. I had no previous interest in the subject until I heard the Bush-Haters. If all these people so adamently, so angerily, so viciously hate and loathe this man, there's got to be something to him so I started to educate myself. I wanted to be able to have a coherent sentence following the word "because." Sammon's book is a good read, an objective reporter's view of the last 3 years, disclosing the arrogant and idiotic rants and raves of the media at large, the resentments of the French, and the Leftists who wish to believe that they are in control of America's actions and future. It also shows a personable side of President Bush and his administration that is never shown. It talks of his decision to go to war, the battles against ignorance with the media during the war ("What do you mean he doesn't watch CNN? How does he get his information then to make decisions for the battle?"), the flight to the USS Lincoln, the Thanksgiving Trip to Baghdad, and one of the many media trips to his Ranch. When it is all said and done, President Bush is someone I can relate to, someone whom I share many values with, and someone who I have grown to admire, trust and respect. He has brought honor, dignity, and leadership back into the title of American President and, frankly, that scares a lot of people who hate him for it. Anybody can be President, but very few can be "Commander in Chief." We are fortunate as a country to have George W. Bush as one of those few.

The Underdog

All throughout George W. Bush's life people have underestimated his political skills, making him the underdog of every race. However, he has proven these pundits wrong time and time again, and this book chronicles how the media has underestimated President Bush and his cabinet members. It entails the events from 9/11, to how the media falsely called Afghanistan a "quagmire" only 3 weeks into the war, and how they were also wrong with the Iraq War. It details the French-Iraq relationship as well, very fascinating. It includes nuggets of John Kerry's continually shifting positions on national security in his 20-year career as a senator. A great read for anyone wanting to know the FACTS about the War On Terror and gives bundles of evidence on how the media is extremely biased against President George W. Bush.

Wow... All I can say is Wow!!!

The chapter on the medias attempts to turn both Afghanistan and Iraq into a Boggdown or Quagmire made me angry... The chapter on the Presidents secret trip into Bagdad brought tears to my eyes...The behind the scenes tour of the the Western White House with a select group of reporters insprired me...The countless discussions with Bush, Cheney, Powell, Rice and Rumsfeld informed me...This book was a rare example of how to write a thoughful, educational and entertaining book. A Great Read!!!!

More truth then some will want to admit

Misunderestimated was a very enjoyable and interesting book to read. Bill Sammon takes you "behind-the-scenes" into the White House's press corps, following the president on different adventures such as Bagdad on Thanksgiving, Portland for a strange convention, and even Bush's private ranch for a walk. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the press' roll in politics. The book also provides many interesting facts about Saddam Hussein's rise to power and ambition to acquire WMD, the Jessica Lynch story, John Kerry and the press' fascination with Vietnam, and most of all... facts about surprisingly partisan acts from major people in the political press. The book also does a good job of clearly laying out the core principles of both presidential candidates.

A revelation to the open minded

As a conservative professional musician, I am often in the minority with my colleagues, who are distinctly left leaning liberal. As much as I disagree with my friends, I have no disrespect for their beliefs, as I tend to assume they are as honestly heart felt as mine, based on truth as they know it. 'Misunderestimated' reveals how the truth as they know it is not the truth. All the way through this book I wanted to buy as many copies as I could afford to send to my friends that at least have an open enough mind to respect me as I do them. It had become apparent to me before I read this book that there is a LOT of mischaracterization, misrepresentation, and out and out hatred regarding the current administration and its policies in the media. But the reality presented by this white house press insider is even more appalling.At the same time, the character that I saw in Bush in the beginning, but doubted as the onslaught on him rages, was proved to be true. This is a man who is different, with convictions, with a keen awareness of his duty as leader of this country, who completely stumps those who oppose them BECAUSE he is who he is. If there is not an out and out media bias against Bush, the only other fair conclusion is they evidently do not have a grid for understanding this President, and so flail away in what templates they have, tragically missing the opportunitiy to report truthfully on the emergence of this new leader as he succeeds while shaking the status quo. And so I say, if you do have an open mind, if you do honestly seek the truth, this book is it. In fact the story of Bush's Thanksgiving visit to the troops in Bagdhad is worth the price of the book. Anyone that can read this book and still claim hatred for Bush deserves the media deception they are fed. Read with an open mind. I dare you.