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The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis
During their combined 40 years in Congress, Martin Frost and Tom Davis were the field generals for their respective parties, each serving two terms as chair of the Democratic and Republican House Campaign Committees, respectively. Now they have joined forces—along with columnist Richard Cohen—in an effort to save Congress from itself.
According to the authors, Congress is incapable of reforming itself without a good kick in the seat from the American public. Frost and Davis, with great insight and skill along with a wealth of anecdotes and photos, dissect the causes of legislative gridlock and offer a common-sense, bipartisan plan for making our Congress function again.
The Preface, by Pulitzer Prize finalist David Eisenhower, sets the stage for this powerful behind-the-scenes narrative that insightfully uncovers the past road to the present political gridlock—and then offers thought-provoking insights and possibilities for the way out.
A wide array of Republicans, Democrats, former presidents, and congressional colleagues, as well as many of today’s most highly respected news correspondents and analysts, have come together in broad, bipartisan, consensus support for this book and its message.
The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis is a fascinating “must-read” for the historically and politically curious—as well as for every citizen of the United States!
According to the authors, Congress is incapable of reforming itself without a good kick in the seat from the American public. Frost and Davis, with great insight and skill along with a wealth of anecdotes and photos, dissect the causes of legislative gridlock and offer a common-sense, bipartisan plan for making our Congress function again.
The Preface, by Pulitzer Prize finalist David Eisenhower, sets the stage for this powerful behind-the-scenes narrative that insightfully uncovers the past road to the present political gridlock—and then offers thought-provoking insights and possibilities for the way out.
A wide array of Republicans, Democrats, former presidents, and congressional colleagues, as well as many of today’s most highly respected news correspondents and analysts, have come together in broad, bipartisan, consensus support for this book and its message.
The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis is a fascinating “must-read” for the historically and politically curious—as well as for every citizen of the United States!
- GenresNonfictionPolitics
352 pages, Hardcover
First published December 10, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 31, 2016
Incredible; but I can't help being, I don't know, cynically impressed.?
I agree; should be in middle-school political/sociology classes as mentioned by other GR reviews. Certainly a future Poli-Sci requirement.
It's not long; it's well-written; it's two biographies in one.
And, I believe,the co-authors, former D & R Congressmen, were genuine in their efforts.
The way the US Congress has worked over the last 50 years is amazing. It's intrigue, it's principled, it's Shakespearean, it's Fight Club.
Congressional votes have been counted, colluded, cast, and argued on the floor, trying to pander to the largest of their contributors with consideration of their respective districts and both sides claim honor and patriotism. I throw things when I hear someone claim to know what the forefathers, or even worse, God, would want. Both houses are adept at working the process of getting legislation passed or killed. Claims of distress and consternation are prepared and vetted( by most anyways; there's a variety of wing-nuts that keep it interesting and somehow get elected) and they focus on what they'll come across as in the 24 hour news cycle.
Good Christ, it's like raising kids. You get exhausted. Just give me a time-out for a bit, you know.
Loved it though. Read it twice in fact. And just ordered it from the locally-owned bookstore.
This is really about who runs for Congress successfully. Which determines who runs Congress( SPOILER: Rules Committee; they really do. It's worth the entire book).
What I take away from this is, that in the First Branch, the 'People's House", what's best for"The People" is neither here nor there, regardless of party, or what you think the forefathers meant, it's a moot point in reality.
What is important is the way this book explains the way the US Congress works now. Realistically, it's about getting elected; then re-elected. Same story, it's the power. A lot of moving parts in that process, though. And of course, it takes massive amounts of money.
The authors agree, until that is addressed and fixed, things won't change despite all the goodwill and bi-partisanship.
Best book I've read on the way the American Politics & the American Government really functions(& why it doesn't function) since "What It Takes" by Richard Ben Cramer.
Highly recommended.
I agree; should be in middle-school political/sociology classes as mentioned by other GR reviews. Certainly a future Poli-Sci requirement.
It's not long; it's well-written; it's two biographies in one.
And, I believe,the co-authors, former D & R Congressmen, were genuine in their efforts.
The way the US Congress has worked over the last 50 years is amazing. It's intrigue, it's principled, it's Shakespearean, it's Fight Club.
Congressional votes have been counted, colluded, cast, and argued on the floor, trying to pander to the largest of their contributors with consideration of their respective districts and both sides claim honor and patriotism. I throw things when I hear someone claim to know what the forefathers, or even worse, God, would want. Both houses are adept at working the process of getting legislation passed or killed. Claims of distress and consternation are prepared and vetted( by most anyways; there's a variety of wing-nuts that keep it interesting and somehow get elected) and they focus on what they'll come across as in the 24 hour news cycle.
Good Christ, it's like raising kids. You get exhausted. Just give me a time-out for a bit, you know.
Loved it though. Read it twice in fact. And just ordered it from the locally-owned bookstore.
This is really about who runs for Congress successfully. Which determines who runs Congress( SPOILER: Rules Committee; they really do. It's worth the entire book).
What I take away from this is, that in the First Branch, the 'People's House", what's best for"The People" is neither here nor there, regardless of party, or what you think the forefathers meant, it's a moot point in reality.
What is important is the way this book explains the way the US Congress works now. Realistically, it's about getting elected; then re-elected. Same story, it's the power. A lot of moving parts in that process, though. And of course, it takes massive amounts of money.
The authors agree, until that is addressed and fixed, things won't change despite all the goodwill and bi-partisanship.
Best book I've read on the way the American Politics & the American Government really functions(& why it doesn't function) since "What It Takes" by Richard Ben Cramer.
Highly recommended.
May 30, 2015
This book should be required reading in every history/civics class taught. It may not exactly be a page-turner, but neither is it boring. It has a great many excellent points to make both on how we got to this point of largely dysfunctional governance and on potential remedies.
I saw the authors, two former congressmen, one GOP, one DEM speak about their book on the PBS NewsHour just after it's release in December 2014. With Christmas expenses I wouldn't let myself buy a copy for myself and checked to see if I could get it from our local library, but they didn't have it, so I submitted a request that they get a copy, and just over 3 months later, they did and I got first crack at it. Now after finishing it I have decided that sometime I'm going to purchase a copy and read it again with a highlighter in hand.
Seeing how our current political system has made a joke out or actual governance by 'We the People' dismayed and angered me as I read. Even more frustrating is that changes we thought were for the best, like McCain-Feingold campaign financing changes were actually full of unintended, yet destructive consequences. The provisions of McCain-Feingold that limit the monies flowing to the national parties is greatly responsible for the polarization of both the Democratic and Republican parties. And when placed in conjunction with wanton race-based partisan gerrymandering done to appear to comply with the voting rights act we find a dangerous nexus. It seemed to be a good thing to create high concentration minority districts to ensure minority legislators, but the result was to 'bleach' many more districts to be lily white, particularly in the south. The authors also go into the how the gutting of the Fairness Doctrine has lead to the dismantling of the fourth estate. How we have political programming that doesn't even attempt to give both sides of an issue and how that has contributed to political polarization.
They point out that while the problem is multifaceted and cannot be quickly reversed, yet they suggest the following would be the best moves taken to turn things around.
**The overturn of Citizen United with a constitutional amendment defining the rights belonging to a flesh and blood person do not apply to a political construct or a corporation. Therefore the people can regulate and limit corporations and other constructs.
**These limitations on corporations/constructs would then make it easier to move toward publicly funded elections so that it isn't only the rich have the luxury of running for public office.
**And redistricting needs to be removed from the hands of the legislators who draw up the most incongruous districts to benefit their chances of gaining a greater majority in future elections. Instead the authors propose the end of gerrymandering by placing redistricting in the hands of an independent and evenly balances citizen group.
We need MODERATES to have a greater voice in our public discourse and these three things, along with re-enacting significant portions of the Fairness Doctrine are the best steps forward.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.
I saw the authors, two former congressmen, one GOP, one DEM speak about their book on the PBS NewsHour just after it's release in December 2014. With Christmas expenses I wouldn't let myself buy a copy for myself and checked to see if I could get it from our local library, but they didn't have it, so I submitted a request that they get a copy, and just over 3 months later, they did and I got first crack at it. Now after finishing it I have decided that sometime I'm going to purchase a copy and read it again with a highlighter in hand.
Seeing how our current political system has made a joke out or actual governance by 'We the People' dismayed and angered me as I read. Even more frustrating is that changes we thought were for the best, like McCain-Feingold campaign financing changes were actually full of unintended, yet destructive consequences. The provisions of McCain-Feingold that limit the monies flowing to the national parties is greatly responsible for the polarization of both the Democratic and Republican parties. And when placed in conjunction with wanton race-based partisan gerrymandering done to appear to comply with the voting rights act we find a dangerous nexus. It seemed to be a good thing to create high concentration minority districts to ensure minority legislators, but the result was to 'bleach' many more districts to be lily white, particularly in the south. The authors also go into the how the gutting of the Fairness Doctrine has lead to the dismantling of the fourth estate. How we have political programming that doesn't even attempt to give both sides of an issue and how that has contributed to political polarization.
They point out that while the problem is multifaceted and cannot be quickly reversed, yet they suggest the following would be the best moves taken to turn things around.
**The overturn of Citizen United with a constitutional amendment defining the rights belonging to a flesh and blood person do not apply to a political construct or a corporation. Therefore the people can regulate and limit corporations and other constructs.
**These limitations on corporations/constructs would then make it easier to move toward publicly funded elections so that it isn't only the rich have the luxury of running for public office.
**And redistricting needs to be removed from the hands of the legislators who draw up the most incongruous districts to benefit their chances of gaining a greater majority in future elections. Instead the authors propose the end of gerrymandering by placing redistricting in the hands of an independent and evenly balances citizen group.
We need MODERATES to have a greater voice in our public discourse and these three things, along with re-enacting significant portions of the Fairness Doctrine are the best steps forward.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.
August 24, 2016
After attending a presentation at Gerald Ford Presidential Museum by Tom Davis and Martin Frost about the partisan divide that is creating gridlock in Washington DC I obtained their book from the library. The book goes into a great deal of detail about what has changed and why congress is unable to work together as when they served. I struggle with the detail but found that their theory's make sense.
The book gave me more respect for the challenges our elected official face in serving our country. It also makes me angry how gerrymandering and money disrupt the ideals of democracy. It challenges me to be involved and understand the candidates and issue before voting.
The book gave me more respect for the challenges our elected official face in serving our country. It also makes me angry how gerrymandering and money disrupt the ideals of democracy. It challenges me to be involved and understand the candidates and issue before voting.
March 6, 2015
I received this book through the Goodreads first reads program. The book is a very interesting look at the divide facing the US Congress today. It is well written and the subject is thoroughly explored with solutions offered, but at this point I'm not sure if it's too little too late. I don't think that the people who need to be listening are tuning in any longer.
May 2, 2016
Davis, Frost, and Cohen's 2016 book "The Partisan Divide" presents an outstanding analysis about how federal government gridlock evolved and how this gridlock can be resolved. This is a book full of insight, well written and superbly documented. I learned much about our government and about the evolution of political action in today's world.
February 5, 2015
A detailed examination of the reasons for the divided Congress. The authors offer some solutions but it is doubtful to this reader whether they can be achieved.
March 3, 2015
A must read if you want to understand our first branch of government!
April 3, 2017
“Let’s get started.” This quote, ultimately concluding The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis, is the main theme throughout. It delves head-first into a sociopolitical situation that is never talked about on the Hill: partisanship. After leaving this book, you’ll want to ignite a change. You’ll feel empowered to “get started” on reform to help our nation for the citizens of today and tomorrow. Tom Davis, Martin Frost, and Richard Cohen’s The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis effectively shines a light on an important issue and provides expert analysis that helps the readers understand the issue and gain an opinion at the same time.
First, the authors are highly experienced to discuss this issue. Tom Davis and Martin Frost are two former congressmen who originate from both sides of the aisle, and Richard Cohen is a highly accredited political reporter from several big-name news sources. Frost and Davis have a combined 40 years of congressional experience and several more years of law and local political careers. Both Frost and Davis have also been affected personally by the partisan crisis, saying that their parties, “moved away from us, Tom’s to the right and Martin’s to the left.” All three authors are highly qualified to analyze the issue of congressional partisanship on a professional level.
Next, the novel presents very detailed facts, evidence, and statistics to provide a greater understanding of the divide happening in Washington. The authors analyzed each state and their voting record. One fact presented that many will find interesting is the fact that the 19 states that voted for the democratic president candidate all six election from 1992 to 2012 equate to 242 electoral college votes, meaning the democratic candidate only needed 28 more electoral votes to get the 270 majority. This is only a small percentage of all of the evidence presented to shine light on an issue ripping our government apart at the seams. The authors’ use of evidence is powerful and presents facts, not bias, for the reader to make an educated decision on the course of action.
Finally, the novel offers very clear solutions to the issue of partisanship. Many political and opinion novels analyze the problem, but never offer a solution. This novel, though, gives the reader a list of possible solutions that can be backed up with clear, concrete evidence. Their solutions include campaign finance reform, a ban on gerrymandering, election reform, and economic stability to help fix the division in our legislative branch. After reading, the reader is given a call to action. A call that makes them want to stand up and enact real change and real reform to make the US government run smoother.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend Tom Davis, Martin Frost, and Richard Cohen’s The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis. They help the reader understand an issue that is not mentioned within our systems and media. After analyzing the problem with in-depth statistics and personal experiences, they offer several solutions that are crafted from proven facts. The Partisan Divide is an opinion novel like no other that gives a call to action to all who read it.
First, the authors are highly experienced to discuss this issue. Tom Davis and Martin Frost are two former congressmen who originate from both sides of the aisle, and Richard Cohen is a highly accredited political reporter from several big-name news sources. Frost and Davis have a combined 40 years of congressional experience and several more years of law and local political careers. Both Frost and Davis have also been affected personally by the partisan crisis, saying that their parties, “moved away from us, Tom’s to the right and Martin’s to the left.” All three authors are highly qualified to analyze the issue of congressional partisanship on a professional level.
Next, the novel presents very detailed facts, evidence, and statistics to provide a greater understanding of the divide happening in Washington. The authors analyzed each state and their voting record. One fact presented that many will find interesting is the fact that the 19 states that voted for the democratic president candidate all six election from 1992 to 2012 equate to 242 electoral college votes, meaning the democratic candidate only needed 28 more electoral votes to get the 270 majority. This is only a small percentage of all of the evidence presented to shine light on an issue ripping our government apart at the seams. The authors’ use of evidence is powerful and presents facts, not bias, for the reader to make an educated decision on the course of action.
Finally, the novel offers very clear solutions to the issue of partisanship. Many political and opinion novels analyze the problem, but never offer a solution. This novel, though, gives the reader a list of possible solutions that can be backed up with clear, concrete evidence. Their solutions include campaign finance reform, a ban on gerrymandering, election reform, and economic stability to help fix the division in our legislative branch. After reading, the reader is given a call to action. A call that makes them want to stand up and enact real change and real reform to make the US government run smoother.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend Tom Davis, Martin Frost, and Richard Cohen’s The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis. They help the reader understand an issue that is not mentioned within our systems and media. After analyzing the problem with in-depth statistics and personal experiences, they offer several solutions that are crafted from proven facts. The Partisan Divide is an opinion novel like no other that gives a call to action to all who read it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews