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The Thumpin': How Rahm Emanuel and the Democrats Learned to Be Ruthless and Ended the Republican Revolution
In the 2006 midterm elections, the Democratic party ended twelve years of electoral humiliation by seizing back Congress and putting an end to Republican rule. The Thumpin’ is the story of that historic victory and the man at the center on whom Democratic hopes Congressman Rahm Emanuel, head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).
Chicago Tribune reporter Naftali Bendavid had exclusive access to Emanuel and the DCCC in the year and a half leading up to the elections and ended up with the story of a lifetime, the thrilling blow-by-blow account of how Emanuel remade the campaign in his own ferocious image. Responsible for everything from handpicking Congressional candidates to raising money for attack ads, Emanuel, a talented ballet dancer better known in Washington for his extraordinary intensity and his inexhaustible torrents of profanity, threw out the playbook on the way Democrats run elections.
Instead of rallying the base, Rahm sought moderate-to-conservative candidates who could attract more traditional voters. Instead of getting caught in the Democrats’ endless arguments about their positions, he went on the attack, personally vilifying Republicans from Tom DeLay to Christopher Shays. And instead of abiding by the gentlemen’s agreements of good-old-boy Washington, he broke them, attacking his counterpart in the Republican party and challenging Howard Dean, the chairman of his own party.
In 2005, no one believed victory was within the Democrats’ grasp. But as the months passed, Republicans were caught in wave after wave of scandal, support for the war in Iraq steadily declined, and the president’s poll numbers plummeted. And in Emanuel, the Democrats finally had a killer, a ruthless closer like Karl Rove or Lee Atwater, poised to seize the advantage and deliver what President Bush would call “a thumpin.’”
Taking its cues from classic political page-turners like Showdown at Gucci Gulch and documentaries like The War Room, The Thumpin’ takes us inside the key races and the national strategy-making that moved the Democrats from forecasted gains of three seats in 2005 to a sweeping gain of thirty seats when the votes were finally counted. Through this masterful account of Rahm’s rout, Bendavid shows how the lessons the Democrats learned in 2006—to fight for every vote, to abandon litmus tests, and to take no prisoners—will be crucial to the party’s future electoral success, and shape the political course the nation will take in the twenty-first century.
Chicago Tribune reporter Naftali Bendavid had exclusive access to Emanuel and the DCCC in the year and a half leading up to the elections and ended up with the story of a lifetime, the thrilling blow-by-blow account of how Emanuel remade the campaign in his own ferocious image. Responsible for everything from handpicking Congressional candidates to raising money for attack ads, Emanuel, a talented ballet dancer better known in Washington for his extraordinary intensity and his inexhaustible torrents of profanity, threw out the playbook on the way Democrats run elections.
Instead of rallying the base, Rahm sought moderate-to-conservative candidates who could attract more traditional voters. Instead of getting caught in the Democrats’ endless arguments about their positions, he went on the attack, personally vilifying Republicans from Tom DeLay to Christopher Shays. And instead of abiding by the gentlemen’s agreements of good-old-boy Washington, he broke them, attacking his counterpart in the Republican party and challenging Howard Dean, the chairman of his own party.
In 2005, no one believed victory was within the Democrats’ grasp. But as the months passed, Republicans were caught in wave after wave of scandal, support for the war in Iraq steadily declined, and the president’s poll numbers plummeted. And in Emanuel, the Democrats finally had a killer, a ruthless closer like Karl Rove or Lee Atwater, poised to seize the advantage and deliver what President Bush would call “a thumpin.’”
Taking its cues from classic political page-turners like Showdown at Gucci Gulch and documentaries like The War Room, The Thumpin’ takes us inside the key races and the national strategy-making that moved the Democrats from forecasted gains of three seats in 2005 to a sweeping gain of thirty seats when the votes were finally counted. Through this masterful account of Rahm’s rout, Bendavid shows how the lessons the Democrats learned in 2006—to fight for every vote, to abandon litmus tests, and to take no prisoners—will be crucial to the party’s future electoral success, and shape the political course the nation will take in the twenty-first century.
- GenresPoliticsNonfiction
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 28, 2008
If you followed the 2006 elections closely, you probably do not need to read this book. However, it is a really intersting look at Rahm Emanuel's strategy for successfully taking back the House. In part, he carefully recruited traditionally masculine candidates to run to appeal to male voters.
March 11, 2023
An interesting snapshot in time.
November 26, 2008
I’m such a political geek. I went to the Greek islands and Athens and took along Naftali Bendavid’s new book: The Thumpin’: How Rahm Emanuel and the Democrats Learned to Be Ruthless and Ended the Republican Revolution. It was published two days before we left for Greece and I picked it up and took it along. It was fun for the plane rides to and forth.
The book chronicles Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL 05)’s term as head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC, “D Triple C” or simply “D Trip”) during the 2006 election cycle. With rare inside access, Bendavid gives us insight into how this much-hated and much-loved politician helped win back a majority for Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. With great quotes and some “fly on the wall” scenes, the book is a quick read that moves from Rahm’s appointment in early 2005 until a few days after the November 2006 elections.
This book is a fun read, especially for insiders who played a role in this election cycle. Unfortunately, Bendavid glosses over a lot of detail about specific races and the tactics that Rahm used to select, or in many cases, un-select a Democratic challenger. While he spends a little time talking about the infamous Illinois 6th primary race between longtime Democrat Christine Cegelis and newcomer, but Iraq War veteran, Tammy Duckworth, he doesn’t cover other races such as Jerry McNerney (CA-11), Les Roberts (NY-24) and Eric Massa (NY-29). Granted, this book was an overview, but such a discussion would have gone a long way to balance out these historic elections.
Finally, I wanted to see an analysis of the implications of Emanuel’s strategy of picking sometimes very conservative Democrats in traditionally Republican enclaves. What does this say for the future of the Democratic Party in places like North Carolina’s 11th and Indiana’s 8th? Rahm picked conservative Democrats Heath Shuler and Brad Ellsworth to win these seats, and it’s hard to see either of these newly elected Congressman as Democrats. What about the 2008 election too? For that cycle, which we’re already in, Chris Van Hollen (D-MD 08) will be running the DCCC. In 2006, he was one of Rahm’s closest lieutenants. We shall see.
The book chronicles Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL 05)’s term as head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC, “D Triple C” or simply “D Trip”) during the 2006 election cycle. With rare inside access, Bendavid gives us insight into how this much-hated and much-loved politician helped win back a majority for Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. With great quotes and some “fly on the wall” scenes, the book is a quick read that moves from Rahm’s appointment in early 2005 until a few days after the November 2006 elections.
This book is a fun read, especially for insiders who played a role in this election cycle. Unfortunately, Bendavid glosses over a lot of detail about specific races and the tactics that Rahm used to select, or in many cases, un-select a Democratic challenger. While he spends a little time talking about the infamous Illinois 6th primary race between longtime Democrat Christine Cegelis and newcomer, but Iraq War veteran, Tammy Duckworth, he doesn’t cover other races such as Jerry McNerney (CA-11), Les Roberts (NY-24) and Eric Massa (NY-29). Granted, this book was an overview, but such a discussion would have gone a long way to balance out these historic elections.
Finally, I wanted to see an analysis of the implications of Emanuel’s strategy of picking sometimes very conservative Democrats in traditionally Republican enclaves. What does this say for the future of the Democratic Party in places like North Carolina’s 11th and Indiana’s 8th? Rahm picked conservative Democrats Heath Shuler and Brad Ellsworth to win these seats, and it’s hard to see either of these newly elected Congressman as Democrats. What about the 2008 election too? For that cycle, which we’re already in, Chris Van Hollen (D-MD 08) will be running the DCCC. In 2006, he was one of Rahm’s closest lieutenants. We shall see.
June 25, 2008
As fascinating as Rahm Emanuel is, this book too readily dismisses Dean's 50-State Strategy, and gives Emanuel credit for things not in his control. When referring to Indiana's congressional seats, they're referred to in various parts of the book as "open", "contested", etc. Bendavid tries to make it sound as though Emanuel recruited all 3 Indiana challengers, when in reality 2 of them were repeat challengers, and one of those was a former Congressman.
The parts of the book that are observational are definitely worthwhile, and give an insight into the semi-controlled chaos of a historic campaign. However, Bendavid's analysis is ranges from misguided to poorly informed to obvious. There are better campaign books out there.
The parts of the book that are observational are definitely worthwhile, and give an insight into the semi-controlled chaos of a historic campaign. However, Bendavid's analysis is ranges from misguided to poorly informed to obvious. There are better campaign books out there.
October 5, 2015
As someone who pays very close attention to electoral politics, this didn't offer me a ton of insight. Most of it would already be known by anyone who read the news and thought about the columns during the era.
Still, it does provide an excellent roadmap of the how, what, why, where, and who that affected a very important electoral cycle. I came away admiring Emannuel, both as a driven professional and as someone who is torn between various priorities, and as someone who can bounce back from adversity.
It's worth a read if you're interested in the topic. Not particularly if you aren't.
Still, it does provide an excellent roadmap of the how, what, why, where, and who that affected a very important electoral cycle. I came away admiring Emannuel, both as a driven professional and as someone who is torn between various priorities, and as someone who can bounce back from adversity.
It's worth a read if you're interested in the topic. Not particularly if you aren't.
August 12, 2009
This book was great. It's a fast read that provides a rare look behind the scenes at the DCCC. In sum: everyone worked very hard to win back the House in 2006. What I most enjoyed about this book though, was that it delved into local and regional political dramas that occurred in Democratic primaries and House races all across the country. Most of these stories weren't covered by the national media and so you'd only know of them if you live close to the district. I like a non-fiction book that both enlightens and entertains, and this one did both.
November 18, 2008
The Thumpin' is a behind the scenes account of the Democratic take-over of the House in 2006, with a focus on Rahm Emmanuel, the incoming White House Chief of Staff. It's a fascinating read for junkies. Doe-eyed believers beware, though, the Democratic return to power isn't as great a moral victory as you might want it to be. Emmanuel and Congressional Democrats hit below the belt just as gleefully as Republicans. Still, it's a great look behind the curtain.
November 6, 2008
Whatever your politics might be, it is fun to understand the process and see brilliant minds at work shaping the nation. This is a great book for understanding how the dems took back congress in 2006 and the personalities that drove their resurgence. It's a pretty fast read and Mr. Bendavid was given incredible access so the story has a near first-person feel.
September 28, 2009
An interesting read about Rahm Emanuel - current chief of staff to President Obama. Pretty fair in that it shows Emanuel's vulgarity and heavy-handed tactics. Although sometimes enjoyable, it's hard to forget that the bad guys win at the end of this story.
November 30, 2012
It was a very solid book, with a lot of focus on what exactly drives Rahm Emanuel. It's interesting to look back at his time in the House and just how seriously he took the possibility of becoming Speaker.
May 31, 2021
This book is right in my lane with a behind the scenes look at the 2006 election when Rahm Emanuel led the Democrats to a take back of the House of Representatives. Not well written but very enjoyable.
July 4, 2007
An interesting read, but doesn't cover much new ground. Portions of the book had been published previously as articles in the Chicago tribune which makes whole sections of the book seem stale.
January 14, 2009
A fascinating portrait of Rahm Emanuel when he was the DCCC chairman. Apparently manic, driven and foul mouthed, he is an interesting choice for Barack Obama to make for his Chief of Staff.
March 21, 2010
Heh heh.
August 24, 2010
Here's this book in one sentence: Badger rich people to give more to fewer candidates.
Really! Rahm coasted on Dean's good work.
Really! Rahm coasted on Dean's good work.
November 18, 2012
As a major Rahm Emanuel fan, a fun read to see how effective he can be. Certainly his style isn't for everyone, but there's no arguing it is successful.
December 18, 2012
I dig political narratives like this.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews