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How to Test Negative for Stupid: And Why Washington Never Will
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
One of the most distinctive and funny politicians, Senator John Kennedy (the one from Louisiana)—hailed by Politico as “America’s most quotable Senator”—offers his perceptive (and hilarious) takes on the ridiculousness of political life in this scathingly witty takedown of Washington and its elite denizens.
How to Test Negative for Stupid offers the Senator’s tongue-in-cheek guidebook through Washington, punctuated by his thoughts on various issues and humorous stories about life from Louisiana politics and inside the Senate.
From the mind—and mouth—of "America's Most Quotable Senator":
“Always be yourself . . . unless you suck.”“I say this This is why the aliens won’t talk to us.”“If you trust government, you obviously failed history class.”“I believe that our country was founded by geniuses, but it’s being run by idiots.”“Always follow your heart . . . but take your brain with you.”“I’m not going to Bubble Wrap The water in Washington, D.C., won’t clear up until you get the pigs out of the creek.”“I have the right to remain silent but not the ability.”“Common sense is illegal in Washington, D.C., I know. I’ve seen it firsthand.”“I believe that we are going to have to get some new conspiracy theories. All the old ones turned out to be true.”
One of the most distinctive and funny politicians, Senator John Kennedy (the one from Louisiana)—hailed by Politico as “America’s most quotable Senator”—offers his perceptive (and hilarious) takes on the ridiculousness of political life in this scathingly witty takedown of Washington and its elite denizens.
How to Test Negative for Stupid offers the Senator’s tongue-in-cheek guidebook through Washington, punctuated by his thoughts on various issues and humorous stories about life from Louisiana politics and inside the Senate.
From the mind—and mouth—of "America's Most Quotable Senator":
“Always be yourself . . . unless you suck.”“I say this This is why the aliens won’t talk to us.”“If you trust government, you obviously failed history class.”“I believe that our country was founded by geniuses, but it’s being run by idiots.”“Always follow your heart . . . but take your brain with you.”“I’m not going to Bubble Wrap The water in Washington, D.C., won’t clear up until you get the pigs out of the creek.”“I have the right to remain silent but not the ability.”“Common sense is illegal in Washington, D.C., I know. I’ve seen it firsthand.”“I believe that we are going to have to get some new conspiracy theories. All the old ones turned out to be true.”
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 786 reviews
November 12, 2025
What an amazing man! If you are a fan of Senator Kennedy or even if you are not, listen to this book. It is a common sense and sometimes hilarious book that presents Senator Kennedy’s outlook. He makes sense and Louisiana is fortunate in having him as their elected senator. We are all fortunate to have him fighting for truth and bringing back integrity, common sense, and pride in our country.
Kennedy gives us an often humorous view into the workings of the Senate, that is when they do work! He is dedicated to doing his job and that is working for the people of his state. He is not bound by party lines and has many friends across the aisle in the Senate, He does remark though that some who have been there long, must have had a dinosaur as a pet! There are so many witticisms that made me lol and I appreciated that Mr Kennedy tries to not hate anyone although he says that following Jesus is hard sometimes with some of the meatheads. He is a brilliant man with character and strength and as a bonus a wonderful sense of humor!
Kennedy gives us an often humorous view into the workings of the Senate, that is when they do work! He is dedicated to doing his job and that is working for the people of his state. He is not bound by party lines and has many friends across the aisle in the Senate, He does remark though that some who have been there long, must have had a dinosaur as a pet! There are so many witticisms that made me lol and I appreciated that Mr Kennedy tries to not hate anyone although he says that following Jesus is hard sometimes with some of the meatheads. He is a brilliant man with character and strength and as a bonus a wonderful sense of humor!
March 5, 2026
How to resist a title like this?
And how to resist Senator Kennedy, regardless of which side of the aisle you’re on? His witticisms, often with amusing similes and metaphors are legendary, and his scathing remarks spare no one, including his own party and himself. His questions at senate hearings are legendary. Many of his quips and clips go viral, and rightly so.
He hates no one and has friends from both parties. He says what he means, and means what he says. He is not averse to crossing party lines when he deems it necessary, nor does he fear disagreeing with the President or members of his own party when he feels strongly about a matter. How refreshing! If only all politicians were the same.
He may sound like a down-home boy but he’s brilliant and highly educated, graduating summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University, a law degree from University of Virginia, and first class honors from Oxford. But, most importantly, along with his intellect, he has a wealth of common sense.
Part autobiography and part an inside look into Washington politics , he does it in a highly entertaining way that often made me laugh out loud. What makes this book special is his unique and refreshing take on things.
Highly recommend, especially on audio, which is narrated by Senator Kennedy himself.
And how to resist Senator Kennedy, regardless of which side of the aisle you’re on? His witticisms, often with amusing similes and metaphors are legendary, and his scathing remarks spare no one, including his own party and himself. His questions at senate hearings are legendary. Many of his quips and clips go viral, and rightly so.
He hates no one and has friends from both parties. He says what he means, and means what he says. He is not averse to crossing party lines when he deems it necessary, nor does he fear disagreeing with the President or members of his own party when he feels strongly about a matter. How refreshing! If only all politicians were the same.
He may sound like a down-home boy but he’s brilliant and highly educated, graduating summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University, a law degree from University of Virginia, and first class honors from Oxford. But, most importantly, along with his intellect, he has a wealth of common sense.
Part autobiography and part an inside look into Washington politics , he does it in a highly entertaining way that often made me laugh out loud. What makes this book special is his unique and refreshing take on things.
Highly recommend, especially on audio, which is narrated by Senator Kennedy himself.
October 8, 2025
My thoughts
Sen. Kennedy is an outlier on the bell curve of politicians. He says what he means and means what he says. He speaks plainly and truthfully and with a heavy coating of common sense. And, in a time when everyone is uptight and triggered by the least things, he does it ith humor. I'm glad he's MY Senator!
Sen. Kennedy is an outlier on the bell curve of politicians. He says what he means and means what he says. He speaks plainly and truthfully and with a heavy coating of common sense. And, in a time when everyone is uptight and triggered by the least things, he does it ith humor. I'm glad he's MY Senator!
October 9, 2025
Well worth the read
Granted, I might be slightly biased because Sen Kennedy is one of my favorite senators, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book. There was more than one LOL moment which I’ve come to expect from him. My only complaint? The title is misleading. I expected him to tell us how to fix the stupid in Washington, although that’s probably a lost cause. But it was a great glimpse into his life and character and made me appreciate him even more. Keep up the good work, Senator.
Granted, I might be slightly biased because Sen Kennedy is one of my favorite senators, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book. There was more than one LOL moment which I’ve come to expect from him. My only complaint? The title is misleading. I expected him to tell us how to fix the stupid in Washington, although that’s probably a lost cause. But it was a great glimpse into his life and character and made me appreciate him even more. Keep up the good work, Senator.
October 16, 2025
"...to a bear we all taste like chicken."
Classic John Kennedy-isms frame this book's message. I found myself smiling (and often laughing out loud) while nodding my head throughout the entire book. Mark Twain would be proud.
Classic John Kennedy-isms frame this book's message. I found myself smiling (and often laughing out loud) while nodding my head throughout the entire book. Mark Twain would be proud.
December 9, 2025
2.49★: A TALE OF TWO HALF-BOOKS, DISAPPOINTING & HYPOCRITICAL. The first half? Five shining stars. Kennedy starts genuinely funny, refreshingly blunt, and occasionally charming in that “why haven’t I heard of this guy before” way. He establishes real credibility — he sounds hard-working, competitive, a solid book-reading, Oxford-attending lawyer who somehow stumbled into politics with his sense of humor intact. I smiled. I nodded. I thought, “Hey, maybe this will actually be smart political satire instead of recycled talking points.” He down-talked former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke as a racist, anti-Semite, liar, felon, and full of hate. I listened to the audiobook version, which Kennedy narrated, and found myself pausing frequently to capture his witticisms, like:
🦴 Only dead fish go with the flow
🦴 Tough as a $3 steak
🦴 Nervous as a pregnant nun
🦴 Work harder than an ugly stripper
🦴 The political equivalent of “you are what you eat” is you are the money you take
🦴 In comparing someone to a Ku Klux Klan member: they’re “both wizards under the sheets”
🦴 “whoa nelly”
🦴 If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly
🦴 Mad as a mama wasp
🦴 like trying to remodel a burning house
🦴 madder than a murder hornet
🦴 I believe love is the answer, but I own a hand gun or two just in case
🦴 referring to the U.S. Senate race as a goat rodeo
🦴 (quoting someone else) looking like they could strut sitting down
🦴 “5 Families” in DC: entrenched politicians, bureaucrats, media, academics, & corporate interests
🦴 In Washington DC, 'normal' is just a setting on a clothes dryer
🦴 My mama didn’t raise a fool, and if she did, it was one of my brothers
And then… at exactly 50% in (4 hours 8 minutes), the wheels start to wobble as he begins to talk about “the real estate mogul from Manhattan.” Just two sentences after mentioning his name, the slurs and name-calling commence and the wheels completely fall off. The second half of the book nose-dives into pure partisan chest-thumping and claims that require a fact-checker. It stops being witty and starts being a rant you’d awkwardly overhear at Thanksgiving before slowly backing toward the booze, or your car keys. Ironically, Kennedy had mentioned the multiple-hour filibuster speech by Ted Cruz (against the Affordable Care Act), but then proceeded to include his own 4+ hour filibuster in Chapters 6 through 10.
He describes liberals as “partial to man purses and organic broccoli,” saying “did I mention these guys are almost always wrong?” This after singing the praises of listening to people. He criticized Hillary Clinton for calling people deplorables but did all kinds of name-calling of his own. He does a lot of ass-kissing of President Trump, and bashing of President Biden.
But where Senator John Neely Kennedy completely lost me was: “We now know that Hillary Clinton and her campaign manufactured fake evidence of Trump collusion with Russia (the Steele dossier), and then fed it to the FBI, the rest of the Justice Department, and the media, which sucked it up like a Hoover deluxe, and then used that “evidence” to claim election fraud without investigating the facts.” Here are THE ACTUAL FACTS:
After he said that, I couldn’t trust anything he said. I mean generally it’s wise not to trust what politicians say, but this guy was really good at making himself appear honest in the first half of the book. So he’s extra slimy. He claims not to hate anyone, but then his views on race and LGBTQ policies make you go hmmm.
So yes: 5 stars for the first four hours, 0 for second four hours. Average them together and you get 2.49 stars — because math, and because I’m feeling generous. Published two months ago on 10/7/25, this book currently has a 4.79-star average by 3,656 GR peeps.
🦴 Only dead fish go with the flow
🦴 Tough as a $3 steak
🦴 Nervous as a pregnant nun
🦴 Work harder than an ugly stripper
🦴 The political equivalent of “you are what you eat” is you are the money you take
🦴 In comparing someone to a Ku Klux Klan member: they’re “both wizards under the sheets”
🦴 “whoa nelly”
🦴 If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly
🦴 Mad as a mama wasp
🦴 like trying to remodel a burning house
🦴 madder than a murder hornet
🦴 I believe love is the answer, but I own a hand gun or two just in case
🦴 referring to the U.S. Senate race as a goat rodeo
🦴 (quoting someone else) looking like they could strut sitting down
🦴 “5 Families” in DC: entrenched politicians, bureaucrats, media, academics, & corporate interests
🦴 In Washington DC, 'normal' is just a setting on a clothes dryer
🦴 My mama didn’t raise a fool, and if she did, it was one of my brothers
And then… at exactly 50% in (4 hours 8 minutes), the wheels start to wobble as he begins to talk about “the real estate mogul from Manhattan.” Just two sentences after mentioning his name, the slurs and name-calling commence and the wheels completely fall off. The second half of the book nose-dives into pure partisan chest-thumping and claims that require a fact-checker. It stops being witty and starts being a rant you’d awkwardly overhear at Thanksgiving before slowly backing toward the booze, or your car keys. Ironically, Kennedy had mentioned the multiple-hour filibuster speech by Ted Cruz (against the Affordable Care Act), but then proceeded to include his own 4+ hour filibuster in Chapters 6 through 10.
He describes liberals as “partial to man purses and organic broccoli,” saying “did I mention these guys are almost always wrong?” This after singing the praises of listening to people. He criticized Hillary Clinton for calling people deplorables but did all kinds of name-calling of his own. He does a lot of ass-kissing of President Trump, and bashing of President Biden.
But where Senator John Neely Kennedy completely lost me was: “We now know that Hillary Clinton and her campaign manufactured fake evidence of Trump collusion with Russia (the Steele dossier), and then fed it to the FBI, the rest of the Justice Department, and the media, which sucked it up like a Hoover deluxe, and then used that “evidence” to claim election fraud without investigating the facts.” Here are THE ACTUAL FACTS:
1. The Steele dossier was funded opposition research that is normal campaign behavior (both sides in a presidential campaign do it).
2. No investigation found that Clinton or her campaign invented the dossier’s content, directed anyone to lie, or fabricated intel herself.
3. U.S. authorities did not rely on the Steele dossier as the sole or primary basis for opening the Russia investigation.
4. The FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation was opened in July 2016 after a tip from an Australian diplomat about Trump adviser George Papadopoulos boasting of Russian help.
5. U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russian operatives used a coordinated campaign of hacking (leaking emails), social-media disinformation, and other covert influence efforts to shape public opinion and sow discord in the U.S. i.e. Russian interference was real.
After he said that, I couldn’t trust anything he said. I mean generally it’s wise not to trust what politicians say, but this guy was really good at making himself appear honest in the first half of the book. So he’s extra slimy. He claims not to hate anyone, but then his views on race and LGBTQ policies make you go hmmm.
So yes: 5 stars for the first four hours, 0 for second four hours. Average them together and you get 2.49 stars — because math, and because I’m feeling generous. Published two months ago on 10/7/25, this book currently has a 4.79-star average by 3,656 GR peeps.
October 14, 2025
Recommended To All Except Those Afflicted With TDS (Although The Book Is Not Focused on Trump)!
Sen. Kennedy’s book is a witty, sharply opinionated critique of Washington, D.C., bureaucracy, political culture, and what he sees as widespread incompetence (or worse) across both parties. He frames the work partly as a humorous “how-to” manual for avoiding foolishness in politics, and partly as a lament that the system will likely never truly reform itself.
He peppers the text with aphorisms, one-liners, personal anecdotes from his career in Louisiana and in the Senate, and pointed barbs aimed at figures across the political spectrum. He also uses some colorful (but not offensive) language and writes in a colloquial style, similar to his speaking style, to make his arguments more provocative and unapologetic.
If you enjoy bold political voices who don’t hold back, you’ll have plenty to like.
Sen. Kennedy’s book is a witty, sharply opinionated critique of Washington, D.C., bureaucracy, political culture, and what he sees as widespread incompetence (or worse) across both parties. He frames the work partly as a humorous “how-to” manual for avoiding foolishness in politics, and partly as a lament that the system will likely never truly reform itself.
He peppers the text with aphorisms, one-liners, personal anecdotes from his career in Louisiana and in the Senate, and pointed barbs aimed at figures across the political spectrum. He also uses some colorful (but not offensive) language and writes in a colloquial style, similar to his speaking style, to make his arguments more provocative and unapologetic.
If you enjoy bold political voices who don’t hold back, you’ll have plenty to like.
January 30, 2026
I may not always agree with Senator Kennedy but I do appreciate his common sense approach to governance. I also enjoy his sense of humor.
One thing to note is that he always comes well prepared with lots of documentation. Many times, he asks the questions that nobody else wants to or refuse to for political reasons.
His attitude towards spending taxpayer money is rare in Washington since he believes that it should be for the taxpayers' benefit and not to be done casually.
This is a book well worth reading.
One thing to note is that he always comes well prepared with lots of documentation. Many times, he asks the questions that nobody else wants to or refuse to for political reasons.
His attitude towards spending taxpayer money is rare in Washington since he believes that it should be for the taxpayers' benefit and not to be done casually.
This is a book well worth reading.
October 12, 2025
This book is a huge waste of time. The first half is mostly an autobiography. I couldn’t care less. Then there
S a lot of conversation and complements about other politicians. Barf. The title is truly misleading. 60% in and he doesn’t even hint at how to not be stupid. I generally like Kennedy, but this book , which was probably ghostwritten adds no value.
S a lot of conversation and complements about other politicians. Barf. The title is truly misleading. 60% in and he doesn’t even hint at how to not be stupid. I generally like Kennedy, but this book , which was probably ghostwritten adds no value.
March 16, 2026
Hilarious and informative.
Quotes:
Senators are not like most teenagers. They’re all over 40.
God is great dogs are good and people in DC are crazy
(of Senator Lindsay) sometimes I think his motto is don’t be part of the problem. Be the whole problem.
Bill is all Henry and no Kissinger. if you vote for it you’ll never be able to own your own home.
(Of McConnell) I saw him smile once back in 2017 and I think his blood pressure rests a steady 70/40.
(Of Schumer) he’s like a five year-old in a Batman costume
The brain is an amazing thing. It starts working in the mother‘s womb and it doesn’t stop until you get elected to Congress.
Ask American how many senators it takes to solve a problem and they’ll say we don’t know it’s never happened
The (senate) rules read like they were put together by a heroin addict with a socket wrench.
You don’t have to be crazy to work in the Senate. They will happily train you.
You can lead a person to Congress, but you can’t make him think
Follow your heart, but take your brain with you
If God would’ve created Boudreau and Marie instead of Adam and Eve, they would’ve been ignored the apple and eaten the snake
If you ever hit a hornets nest while bush hocking don’t jump off cause either. You’ll get run over by the tractor or eaten by the bush hog so just sit there and take the hornet stinks.
Life is hard, but it’s harder when you’re stupid
Schools are for education, not indoctrination
If You always do what you’ve always done you’ll always get what you’ve always got
My mom did not raise a fool, and if she did it was one of my brothers
Quotes:
Senators are not like most teenagers. They’re all over 40.
God is great dogs are good and people in DC are crazy
(of Senator Lindsay) sometimes I think his motto is don’t be part of the problem. Be the whole problem.
Bill is all Henry and no Kissinger. if you vote for it you’ll never be able to own your own home.
(Of McConnell) I saw him smile once back in 2017 and I think his blood pressure rests a steady 70/40.
(Of Schumer) he’s like a five year-old in a Batman costume
The brain is an amazing thing. It starts working in the mother‘s womb and it doesn’t stop until you get elected to Congress.
Ask American how many senators it takes to solve a problem and they’ll say we don’t know it’s never happened
The (senate) rules read like they were put together by a heroin addict with a socket wrench.
You don’t have to be crazy to work in the Senate. They will happily train you.
You can lead a person to Congress, but you can’t make him think
Follow your heart, but take your brain with you
If God would’ve created Boudreau and Marie instead of Adam and Eve, they would’ve been ignored the apple and eaten the snake
If you ever hit a hornets nest while bush hocking don’t jump off cause either. You’ll get run over by the tractor or eaten by the bush hog so just sit there and take the hornet stinks.
Life is hard, but it’s harder when you’re stupid
Schools are for education, not indoctrination
If You always do what you’ve always done you’ll always get what you’ve always got
My mom did not raise a fool, and if she did it was one of my brothers
March 18, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. Senator Kennedy comes across as highly entertaining, with a clear passion for making a difference and bettering the country. Even though I don’t agree with all of his philosophies, I appreciate that our ability to disagree is part of what makes this country so great.
The book strikes a nice balance between being engaging and informative, offering insights along the way without feeling heavy. It’s an easy, worthwhile read if you’re looking for something both entertaining and thoughtful.
One note for potential readers, he does speak positively about President Trump at times. If that’s something you find off-putting, it’s worth knowing ahead of time so you can decide if it’s for you, or at least go in with eyes wide open.
The book strikes a nice balance between being engaging and informative, offering insights along the way without feeling heavy. It’s an easy, worthwhile read if you’re looking for something both entertaining and thoughtful.
One note for potential readers, he does speak positively about President Trump at times. If that’s something you find off-putting, it’s worth knowing ahead of time so you can decide if it’s for you, or at least go in with eyes wide open.
October 12, 2025
Best, funniest and honest, down to earth Senator in Congress!
This book is exactly who and what Senator Kennedy is!
I have watched and listened to him as much as I can. He is very intelligent, witty, honest , loyal and so down to earth . It is so refreshing to read and hear his opinions with a little country humor along with his know. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I live in NJ however, if allowed , I would vote for him for the next 20 or more years. This is who we need to keep our great country the America it was and hopefully will continue to be. Greatest country on earth. Thanks for being you, Mr. Kennedy never change!
This book is exactly who and what Senator Kennedy is!
I have watched and listened to him as much as I can. He is very intelligent, witty, honest , loyal and so down to earth . It is so refreshing to read and hear his opinions with a little country humor along with his know. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I live in NJ however, if allowed , I would vote for him for the next 20 or more years. This is who we need to keep our great country the America it was and hopefully will continue to be. Greatest country on earth. Thanks for being you, Mr. Kennedy never change!
January 2, 2026
While John Kennedy positions himself as a plain-spoken populist, the book often feels like a holier-than-thou sermon from an Oxford-educated elite who masks his own status behind folksy, groan-worthy witticisms to ridicule his peers.
December 31, 2025
As a human being, I think that Senator Kennedy has value and determination. The first half of this book I would give five stars because John Kennedy has a way of explaining his history and past very eloquently. The part about the impact Katrina had on his state was well written. He is a well educated and thoughtful person. As I hit halfway through this book it became a Donald Trump love story. It is hard to understand how Kennedy could hate or dislike greatly David Duke, but being emphatically in love with Donald Trump and his antics. The economy is a perfect example of how this administration is failing. The second half I would give a half a star. I think his views are so leaning right that when he’s explaining it anyone who leans left or in the middle would have a hard time agreeing with him. This book was part of my book club and I don’t know why they chose this book. I would not recommend reading this book if you don’t want to be irritated halfway through.
October 26, 2025
A fun read on an interesting personality in the world of politics. Even though I disagree on some of his choices in some people he supports, because actions speak louder than words. There’s some tunnel vision going on. Just being honest.
February 11, 2026
“I believe that our country was founded by geniuses, but it’s being run by idiots.” ~ One of my most favorite Senator John N Kennedy quotes; one that I believe, as well … 100%.
How to Test Negative for Stupid: And Why Washington Never Will is the 2025 political memoir and satirical critique written by US Senator John Neely Kennedy (R-Louisiana).
What a hoot! It blends humor and personal anecdotes from his Louisiana small town upbringing and Senate career (spanning Trump and Biden eras), and sharp, folksy commentary on DC dysfunction. Kennedy, known for his quotable Southern wit and Oxford education, presents it as a tongue-in-cheek guidebook to navigating Washington’s elite bubble, bureaucratic incompetence and lack of common sense.
Love this fellow Louisianan. So proud to have had the opportunity to personally meet and talk with him on two separate occasions. He’s the same in person as he is on TV and portrayed in this book. He is my very favorite Louisiana senator of all time. ❤️
How to Test Negative for Stupid: And Why Washington Never Will is the 2025 political memoir and satirical critique written by US Senator John Neely Kennedy (R-Louisiana).
What a hoot! It blends humor and personal anecdotes from his Louisiana small town upbringing and Senate career (spanning Trump and Biden eras), and sharp, folksy commentary on DC dysfunction. Kennedy, known for his quotable Southern wit and Oxford education, presents it as a tongue-in-cheek guidebook to navigating Washington’s elite bubble, bureaucratic incompetence and lack of common sense.
Love this fellow Louisianan. So proud to have had the opportunity to personally meet and talk with him on two separate occasions. He’s the same in person as he is on TV and portrayed in this book. He is my very favorite Louisiana senator of all time. ❤️
November 11, 2025
This is an excellent book for anyone interested in politics. You can almost hear his voice as you read it.
Kennedy starts out with a little background. He explains how he got to be a US Senator. He then gives you the dirt on working in the Senate since 2016.
The chapters I enjoyed most were chapter 8, in which he discusses his interactions with Biden and his staff. It is just as I suspected. Biden was a walking corpse led around by his progressive woke staff.
I also enjoyed chapter 10, in which Kennedy gives his views on a lot of the current topics facing our government. I have to say I am in agreement with him on many of these.
Fun read for conservatives.
Kennedy starts out with a little background. He explains how he got to be a US Senator. He then gives you the dirt on working in the Senate since 2016.
The chapters I enjoyed most were chapter 8, in which he discusses his interactions with Biden and his staff. It is just as I suspected. Biden was a walking corpse led around by his progressive woke staff.
I also enjoyed chapter 10, in which Kennedy gives his views on a lot of the current topics facing our government. I have to say I am in agreement with him on many of these.
Fun read for conservatives.
January 2, 2026
The description of this book led me to believe that it was going to be a discussion (with some humor) of what is broken in our political system - but it eventually turned into a left-bashing, Trump-glorifying screed. Must be all the reviewers are far to the right of me.
February 6, 2026
If I wrote about my own profession the way Senator Kennedy writes about politics in this book, I should be rightly fired.
How to Test Negative for Stupid is intellectually dishonest.
Kennedy is witty and occasionally funny, but the book relies on sleight of hand. He presents himself as an equal-opportunity critic who “likes everyone,” yet his criticism consistently runs in only one direction.
Biden is criticized. Trump is effectively invisible.
There is no serious engagement with Trump’s behavior, no mention of January 6, and no acknowledgment of Trump’s role in undermining democratic institutions or inflaming political division. This is not neutrality. It is a choice.
By refusing to apply his framework to Trump, Kennedy collapses his own argument. You cannot credibly diagnose political stupidity while ignoring its most consequential modern example. The silence reads not as civility, but as partisan protection.
The book also treats complex disagreements shallowly. Opposition is framed as idiocy rather than the product of competing values or interpretations. Assertions are confident but thinly supported. Humor substitutes for argument, and repetition substitutes for depth.
In the end, the book works best as political entertainment. It has its laughs, but between the selective critique, weak analysis, and glaring omissions, it fails to meet its own standard.
How to Test Negative for Stupid is intellectually dishonest.
Kennedy is witty and occasionally funny, but the book relies on sleight of hand. He presents himself as an equal-opportunity critic who “likes everyone,” yet his criticism consistently runs in only one direction.
Biden is criticized. Trump is effectively invisible.
There is no serious engagement with Trump’s behavior, no mention of January 6, and no acknowledgment of Trump’s role in undermining democratic institutions or inflaming political division. This is not neutrality. It is a choice.
By refusing to apply his framework to Trump, Kennedy collapses his own argument. You cannot credibly diagnose political stupidity while ignoring its most consequential modern example. The silence reads not as civility, but as partisan protection.
The book also treats complex disagreements shallowly. Opposition is framed as idiocy rather than the product of competing values or interpretations. Assertions are confident but thinly supported. Humor substitutes for argument, and repetition substitutes for depth.
In the end, the book works best as political entertainment. It has its laughs, but between the selective critique, weak analysis, and glaring omissions, it fails to meet its own standard.
January 15, 2026
If you admire Sen. Kennedy's plain-spoken sagacity, you will enjoy this whole book of it.
I listened to the Audible version, narrated by himself, which made it even better -- although, I must admit that I speeded it up. I am so happy that we have him in the senate.
I listened to the Audible version, narrated by himself, which made it even better -- although, I must admit that I speeded it up. I am so happy that we have him in the senate.
December 31, 2025
I was hoping this book would shed a little light on Washington politics in a non-partisan way. Oh well. It was just another book written by a Republican bashing liberals and butt kissing Trump. At one point he mentions how he got something accomplished just by calling Donald Trump on the phone and then he says that's the way politics should be. If that's the way politics should be, why is there Congress? He starts the book representing himself as an advocate for public schools. Even becomes a substitute teacher. But then he never comments on Trump's dismantling of the Department of Education. Kennedy could have used this platform to be so much more broad-minded about government, how it runs, and the people it serves. It was a lost opportunity.
January 4, 2026
I usually wouldn’t choose a book like this, but my MiL urged me to read it.
Parts were interesting, but he spends a lot of time talking about all the “great things” he has done and how great he is at grilling people during Senate confirmation hearings. Typical politician- “look at me”!
When he starts rambling on about the previous administration and the crooked media and blah, blah, blah, I started just skimming it.
Parts were interesting, but he spends a lot of time talking about all the “great things” he has done and how great he is at grilling people during Senate confirmation hearings. Typical politician- “look at me”!
When he starts rambling on about the previous administration and the crooked media and blah, blah, blah, I started just skimming it.
January 10, 2026
The author is a hypocrite! While writing that "I don't think we need the federal government, in the Senate, or otherwise, who will further inflame passioms by seeking retribution against their enemies." he supports Trump and his attempts to dismantle our democracy and attack his opponents. I was very disappointed.
October 8, 2025
Great read! Informative, interesting and fun!
John Kennedy knows how to put words together to make the book funny and entertaining! He has high standards and obviously doesn’t suffer fools. Proud to have him in the Senate. Wish he would run for President!
John Kennedy knows how to put words together to make the book funny and entertaining! He has high standards and obviously doesn’t suffer fools. Proud to have him in the Senate. Wish he would run for President!
October 21, 2025
I listened to this book and the author is the narrator. It is fantastic in his voice!
January 7, 2026
Senator Kennedy is never want of opinions or witticism. His book is an endless source of facts and his humorous style in explaining them.
In one of Kennedy's first meetings with then President Joe Biden, the topic was puberty blockers, which Biden wholeheartedly supported. Kennedy quipped, 'When moms and dads lie down to sleep at night, I can assure you they're not worrying about whether boys can breastfeed.'
On another topic Kennedy cited his opinion of wasteful spending by Congressional Democrats. His quip was, "If we had discovered life on Mars, I have no doubt that Biden and the Democrats would have tried to send it money.'
Senator Kennedy's opinion of President Joe Biden's staff were not complimentary. Kennedy quipped that "Joe Biden's staff, filled as it was with tofu-eating woke-arati, who were convinced of their superior intellect and values."
Kennedy was also not want of opinions of Dr. Anthony Fauci. The two men had a heated exchange with Dr. Fauci testified before the Senate on COVID 19 and the government's response to it. Senator Kennedy's response to Dr. Fauci after he had expressed overall positive opinions on the Chinese government: Senator Kennedy: Can we agree that if you took President Xi Jinping and turned him upside down and shook him, the World Health Organization would fall out of his pocket? Dr. Fauci was unable to respond.
One of Senator Kennedy's sage comments is: 'Wise people don't need advice. Fools won't take it.'
In one of Kennedy's first meetings with then President Joe Biden, the topic was puberty blockers, which Biden wholeheartedly supported. Kennedy quipped, 'When moms and dads lie down to sleep at night, I can assure you they're not worrying about whether boys can breastfeed.'
On another topic Kennedy cited his opinion of wasteful spending by Congressional Democrats. His quip was, "If we had discovered life on Mars, I have no doubt that Biden and the Democrats would have tried to send it money.'
Senator Kennedy's opinion of President Joe Biden's staff were not complimentary. Kennedy quipped that "Joe Biden's staff, filled as it was with tofu-eating woke-arati, who were convinced of their superior intellect and values."
Kennedy was also not want of opinions of Dr. Anthony Fauci. The two men had a heated exchange with Dr. Fauci testified before the Senate on COVID 19 and the government's response to it. Senator Kennedy's response to Dr. Fauci after he had expressed overall positive opinions on the Chinese government: Senator Kennedy: Can we agree that if you took President Xi Jinping and turned him upside down and shook him, the World Health Organization would fall out of his pocket? Dr. Fauci was unable to respond.
One of Senator Kennedy's sage comments is: 'Wise people don't need advice. Fools won't take it.'
December 15, 2025
John Kennedy has a good wit and uses it to great advantage. This book is a combination of tons of witticisms discussing his life and career. Kennedy has a clear set of values and does not suffer fools easily. He describes his initial forays into politics and through a series of stories explains his thoughts about what works and what doesn't. He describes Congress as a trip back to high school where members never graduate and where journalists are permanent sophomores.
At the end of the book he describes several areas (immigration, the media, crime, , the trans issue especially as it relates to women's sports and race) to explain his thoughts in what he called a lightening round. He has a biting wit but is not mean.
Kennedy is a fine mix of a person who has some clear thinking, with clear values and a sense of humor. In no way is he mean but he has a great sense of wit.
I find him more prominent in social media these days. I wish we had about a dozen more like him in Congress.
At the end of the book he describes several areas (immigration, the media, crime, , the trans issue especially as it relates to women's sports and race) to explain his thoughts in what he called a lightening round. He has a biting wit but is not mean.
Kennedy is a fine mix of a person who has some clear thinking, with clear values and a sense of humor. In no way is he mean but he has a great sense of wit.
I find him more prominent in social media these days. I wish we had about a dozen more like him in Congress.
February 1, 2026
This book starts out strong. Kennedy’s humor and offbeat way of looking at things make the early chapters enjoyable and easy to read. At first, he comes across as smart, self-aware, and able to laugh at both himself and public life. Unfortunately, once he gets into his time in the Senate, the tone changes. The humor fades, and the book turns into a long, one-sided political rant that never really goes anywhere.
Kennedy repeatedly criticizes President Biden, especially focusing on his age and fitness. At the same time, he largely ignores similar, and often more troubling, behavior from Donald Trump. The double standard is hard to miss. Concerns about age and mental sharpness seem to matter only when they apply to the person Kennedy wants to criticize.
This is especially frustrating because Kennedy is clearly intelligent and capable of more thoughtful analysis. His unwillingness to seriously address Trump’s behavior, flaws, and the harm done to the country feels intentional. What could have been a balanced and honest reflection instead reads like a partisan argument dressed up with jokes.
In the end, the book is mildly entertaining but ultimately shallow. It shows little interest in being fair or insightful. By holding Biden to one standard and Trump to another, Kennedy avoids dealing with the most important issues. I finished the book feeling more irritated than entertained and disappointed by how much potential was wasted. At least I borrowed it from the library and did not spend money on it.
Kennedy repeatedly criticizes President Biden, especially focusing on his age and fitness. At the same time, he largely ignores similar, and often more troubling, behavior from Donald Trump. The double standard is hard to miss. Concerns about age and mental sharpness seem to matter only when they apply to the person Kennedy wants to criticize.
This is especially frustrating because Kennedy is clearly intelligent and capable of more thoughtful analysis. His unwillingness to seriously address Trump’s behavior, flaws, and the harm done to the country feels intentional. What could have been a balanced and honest reflection instead reads like a partisan argument dressed up with jokes.
In the end, the book is mildly entertaining but ultimately shallow. It shows little interest in being fair or insightful. By holding Biden to one standard and Trump to another, Kennedy avoids dealing with the most important issues. I finished the book feeling more irritated than entertained and disappointed by how much potential was wasted. At least I borrowed it from the library and did not spend money on it.
December 19, 2025
An entertaining and interesting read but disappointing overall. I’ve always found this dude hilarious to listen to even though I disagree with him on a lot of things. Main thing being his inexplicable and embarrassing love affair with Trump. For someone as smart and impressively educated as Mr Kennedy, you’d think he’d be above the worshipping sycophancy of MAGA. He states plainly and multiple times throughout this book that he despises corruption and immoral behavior. Corruption and immoral behavior…wonder who that fits like a glove? Anyone with half a brain knows that when Mr Kennedy or any other weak ass republican politician refuses to publicly condemn or criticize Trump’s behavior, you know silently or behind closed doors they do. They’ve been doing it since 2015. I’ll never understand that level cowardice and I’ve given up trying to. The main thesis of this book is why our government will forever be stupid. Well, refusing to stand up to blatant corruption and immoral behavior from said government ain’t gonna help fix stupid either. How ironic. I don’t regret reading this book because at times it was comical and compelling, but overall, it became frustrating because of that huge ass obnoxious orange elephant in the room. Happy reading!
October 22, 2025
I truly wish you could give anything other than full stars because this one deserves a 3.5, it was an enjoyable read but not my favorite of all time. It was a good book that was well written and had me laughing out loud at times. Senator Kennedy is extremely funny, well spoken, and I appreciated the respect with which he approached topics. I disagreed with him on a lot of things in this book but still enjoyed it and can appreciate another perspective.
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