Smash Mouth: Two Years in the Gutter with Al Gore and George W. Bush -- Notes from the 2000 Campaign Trail

by Dana Milbank

Book Overview

Contrary to most media reports, negative campaigning is actually in decline, but our political system is no better off for it. Or so believes Washington Post political writer Dana Milbank, whose campaign book Smashmouth provides a witty yet ultimately very serious look at the sense and senselessness that occurred during the 2000 presidential campaign. What matters is not whether a campaign claim is positive or negative, but whether the claim...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0465045901
• ISBN13: 9780465045907
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Funny, Smart and Interesting

This was a very funny look at the 2000 presidential race. His book is not a dry blow by blow account of the race that focuses on issues, but a fun look at the process from a reports eye view. I have read a number of serious books on politics and elections and this book was a nice change of pace. If you are looking for a book to take you through the differences in the candidate's issues then this is not the book for you. It is a fun look at all the parts of a campaign that the average person would not know about. The writing is very humorous, interesting and insightful making the book a real joy to read. It takes you through two years of debates, stump speeches and the "story of the day" news cycle that seam to define the candidates now. We even get a lot of behind the scenes info like how does a pole actually work, what is he day like for the reporters and how do the candidates get around. I also found that the author gave digs to all the candidates, not just the ones that he did not like. Overall this was a funny, smart book that is a refreshing step away from the serious books in this field.

Wonderful book

A terrific combination of entertaining, funny, and even moving narrative; thoughtful analysis; and necessary irreverence. Highly recommended.

The perfect post-election fix for political junkies

This book was a lot of fun. And it came at just the right time to keep me from sinking into a post-inaugural letdown. I'd forgotten that once upon a time Campaign 2000 was actually INTERESTING. Milbank packs his book with humor and insight in telling the whole tawdry story.

Michael Lewis on Speed!

Political junkies take heed! This book is great fun; a romp through the 2000 political campaign. It's easy to forget in the wake of election day and its aftermath how interesting (at times) this campaign was, particularly when it came to John McCain's "straight talking", in-your-face moment in the spotlight. Milbank captures the true quirkiness of his subjects, including McCain, and has a way of injecting himself into the story that is quite appealing. Some of this material will be familiar to New Republic Readers, but the vast majority of it seems to be new to the book.