Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War That Is Destroying America

by Cal Thomas, Bob Beckel

Inspired by their popular USA Today column, conservative Cal Thomas and liberal Bob Beckel show politicians of both stripes how to get beyond partisanship, restore civility, and move our country forward. Thomas and Beckel are a unique pair in today's political climate—pundits from opposite sides who not only talk to each other but work together to find common ground on some of the most divisive issues facing us, from the war in Iraq to gay marriage to the Patriot Act. Common Ground unmasks the hypocrisy of many of the issues, organizations, and individuals who created and deepened the partisan divide at the center of American politics, and makes a strategic case for why this bickering must stop. Throughout, Thomas and Beckel explode conventional wisdom and offer surprising new These guys should know. For years Beckel and Thomas contributed to the climate of polarization in Washington . . . and they admit it. "We're two guys who spent a lot of years in the polarizing business, but on opposing sides," they write. "We helped write the game plan, and we have participated in everything from getting money out of true believers to appearing on television to help spread the contentious message. In many cases, we wrote the message. We know the gig, and it's just about up." In this much-needed book, Thomas and Beckel go beyond their column to offer a sobering overview of the current political divide and its corrosive effect on us all.They also explain how bipartisanship and consensus politics are not only good for the day-to-day democratic process but essential for our nation's future well-being. Entertaining and informative, funny and healing, Common Ground is must reading for all concerned citizens.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

Reviews

[Kristal Stidham]

This book describes the extent of America's political polarization, how it got that way and why it's a self-perpetuating situation. The two authors are both Washington D.C. insiders -- one Democrat and one Republican -- so they know what they're talking about!



The good news is that they're convinced that we can fix the system. Polls show that the majority of Americans are truly centrists, so if the political candidates would just mirror their constituents (as they're supposed to!) the parties might actually start solving our problems instead of causing them.



It's not just talk. The authors write a regular column for USA Today that addresses the need for finding common ground in politics. They include actual suggested dialogues to help a candidate assert his/her ideas and opinions without spewing nasty rhetoric and generalizations about the opposing side. It's a great idea and I'd certainly vote for someone who would practice their plan. Let's get some class back in Congress!

[Demi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will push this book on any stark Democrat or Republican I meet. Bob and Cal outline the historical progression of Washington's climate change toward partisanship and hostility, explain how this climate does not help the nation's interest (nor, for very long anyway, does this benefit the interests of either polarizing party), and prescribe a responsible rhetoric upon which a favorable candidacy might be built without said candidate having to water-down the tenets of their stance. Additionally, their respective suggestions for policies ranging from term-limits to informational availability regarding benefits/options for same-sex marriages and expectant mothers prove their willingness to commit to an agreeable consensus on issues which divide their respective ideologies. Having heard a great number of people express apathy toward politics as a result of the hostile, unproductive plague of Congressional appointments, this book is a rallying call for voters and politicians alike, of any stance. Published in 2007, during the early stages of Barack Obama's campaign for presidency, they felt that the language of his campaign channeled the nation's desire for bipartisanship and consensus. His victory using this language of consensus, as well as his successes in grassroots campaign funding, prove their point: common ground is no longer such a hard sell with the American public, rather it speaks to their desire to reconnect with progress in Washington. I would be interested come 2016 how Bob and Cal feel his two terms lived up to (or defied) the message in "Common Ground".

[Paul J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for anyone who loves politics. And it should be required reading for anyone who is staunchly Republican or Democrat. A great reminder that neither political party is always right, and neither one is evil. (Okay, well, maybe BOTH are a bit evil...)

[Anne]

I pick this up now and again and hope for some voice of reason but I yet still have to hear it. I have hope

[Timothy Rillahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's ashame we all can't find common ground no matter what our political beliefs are. Excellent book for those who have hope in our future.

[Sam Motes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book by two writers from opposite sides of the aisle preaching for squashing the polarization of US politics and a drive for seeking more out common ground. Dates at times as it was written during Bush W's second term. Speaks greatly about the craziness of the 2016 election and why we need to get away from the politics of usual of the last 20 years of each side demonizing the other.

[Don Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't really improve on Ickster's review...he/she has this book pinned down.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read...love both of these guys work. Very interesting points that have been brought up; however I think their resolutions are a tad unrealistic.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

and I wonder why DC is a mess

[Adam Balshan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.
I originally gave this book 3.5 stars, but 3 years later I downsize it to 2.5 in the light of history. Thomas (a magnificent public speaker) and Beckel just got it wrong. In 2007, it was heady to believe that a moderate could win the White House; 2008 saw the election of one of the six most radical presidents in our history. Thomas and Beckel posited that those like Limbaugh, Coulter and Michael Moore wouldn't be dominating the political debate. Today, their ilk are still going strong, when politics is debated at all. Intellectual analysis of issues today is becoming non-existent. How one "feels" about an issue (with the proper bow to the prevailing politically correct view if it differs) is usually the end of the conversation.