Buck Up, Suck Up . . . and Come Back When You Foul Up: 12 Winning Secrets from the War Room

by James Carville, Paul Begala

The political strategists who directed the Clinton campaign's War Room reveal the lessons and secrets from their hard-fought battles -- and how to use these highly effective strategies for success in everyday life. James Carville and Paul Begala have waged political war all across America and on three continents. They've won some of the most spectacular political victories of the twentieth century and lost a few campaigns too. Along the way, they've learned a few lessons. Some sound simple, like "Never Quit," some comic, like "Kiss Ass," and some are more complicated and nuanced, like "Strategy Ain't Tactics." But each lesson contains tried-and-true wisdom, illustrated with colorful stories from long political experience -- many never told Find out how Carville's mother, Miz Nippy, used a bass boat to "frame the debate" in selling encyclopedias. Discover what success secret Hillary Rodham Clinton and Tom DeLay share. Learn the War Room tricks for sharpening your message and delivering the perfect sound bite. And much more. Whether you are a senior executive or a secretary, a political junkie or the president of the United States, the rules to live by can be found in Buck Up, Suck Up...and Come Back When You Foul Up.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Business, Self Help, Personal Development

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

James Carville is an former U.S. Marine, political consultant, commentator, actor, media personality and pundit. Known as "the Ragin' Cajun," Carville gained national attention for his work as the lead strategist of the successful presidential campaign of then-Arkansas governor Bill Clinton. Carville was the co-host of CNN's Crossfire until its final broadcast in June 2005. Since its cancellation, he has appeared on CNN's news program, The Situation Room. As of 2006, he hosts a weekly program on XM Radio titled 60/20 Sports with Luke Russert, son of NBC's Tim Russert. He is married to Republican political consultant Mary Matalin.

Reviews

[Erik Rostad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few really good chapters in this book. One chapter dealt with understanding the difference between objectives, strategies, and tactics - a very useful tool to think about life goals and specific projects. Another chapter on communication was interesting. They used two key biblical passages to show the effectiveness of short sound-byte statements.

Interesting to read this book 15 years after it was written to see how well some of these "rules" have held up in the recent election season.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a lot of business books over the years - this is one of the few that is reality-based, not psychobabble. Good lessons, good advice.

[Miata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for stragety and entertaining reading. Full of anecdotes.

[Tim Blackburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read even though I'm further right on the political spectrum. Also interesting to read this book which was written almost 20 years ago and contrast our current political landscape. Carville was the pioneer of the current "take no prisoner" mindset of political campaigns. I wonder if the author's thought that their groundbreaking "scorch the earth" campaign model for the Democratic party would morph from debates over abortion, military spending, and hatred for Kenneth Starr to a significant percentage of their party using their campaign blueprint to seriously advocate socialism. Regardless it is a fun and informative read.

[Muhammad Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting stories and practical real world advice from America's leading presidential advisors, showing lessons from running war rooms in political campaigns. Lots of parallels to draw with working in corporate, product and marketing as well as personal development.
A little old on the politics side (dated) but nonetheless insightful to learn about the past presidents, especially Bill Clinton.
The writing style is real, straight to the point, cuts to the chase...

[Matěj Křístek · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book so far in a field that many people talk about but few understand here in the Czech Republic - yes, I'm talking about political communication ;) This is a must-read for anyone who wants at least a little peek under the hood. Written in an honest, no-bullshit style, to the point, understandable and without any unnecessary moralizing nonsense around.

[Lynnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty years later, I found this at at thrift store. It was very informative and I think there are quite a few lessons here I can take into my career (not looking for political future, but you never know).

[Mina]

My boss gifted me this book. I surprisingly enjoyed it despite the many American political references

[Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a fun and insightful book about what it takes to win campaigns and govern well.

[Eshan Pokhrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

read it for a job, pretty good insight into base campaigning

[David Kritz · Rating 2 out of 5]

While at times entertaining, this book seems aimed at people with average or below-average intelligence.

[Gordon Kwok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Begala and Mr. Carville teamed up and hit a home run on this one. Short, funny and informative -- what more can you ask for from a book? Different bits of advice on how to win elections. If you're a political junkie, this is your kind of book.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for anyone looking to improve their self awareness and business acumen. The chapters are short, but impactful. The tie between politics and business is an easy one to make. Whether you're right wing or left wing, lessons are politically agnostic.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caught my eye when I was looking for stuff on overcoming fear. Winning secrets from the War Room, yes! But seriously, the title?! Just say "fuck up," people. I know you can't because your publisher said so, but "foul up?" :P

...

Mostly obvious stuff, but had some interesting backstory on politics.

Notes:

p. 38--the start of the chapter on kissing ass.
"Early in his career William Faulkner had a secure job at a local post office in Mississippi. He resign abruptly despite having no other employment prospects. When he reflected later on why he'd made such a rash move, he said, 'I refused to be at the beck and call of every son of a bitch who can afford a two-cent stamp.'"

Hell yeah! Go Faulkner! And then I read the next paragraph:

"Guess what? You ain't Faulkner."

Blink.

Fuck you, book. (I can say that. I don't have publishers sanitizing my language and making me say "foul you" or some shit.)

It was actually this exchange that helped me decide not to take a highly lucrative job offer that I didn't really want. Booyah!

p. 62
"Contrast McClellan's pusillanimous attitude with one of the great attack-dog generals of all time: George S. Patton. As he led his Third Army toward Berlin in World War II, Patton received word from hi ssuperior, General Omar Bradley, that he was not to take the German city of Trier. Bradley reasoned that the city would take three divisions and Patton had only two, so he told Patton to hold off.

"But the hard-chargin Patton had already taken Trier. His reply to Bradley was classic: 'Have already taken city, do you want me to give it back?'"

Hell yeah! Gotta love Patton!

p. 108
Good communication:
- story: sympathetic protagonist, unsympathetic antagonist, conflict, drama, resolution.
- be brief
- be emotional
- be unique (could anyone reading your message immediately tell it was yours, not your opponent's?)
- be relevant (ex. Bush 41 "Annoy the media, reelect Bush" vs. Clinton running on the economy)
- repeat your message relentlessly

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was not highbrow reading and maybe that is why I enjoyed it. The authors, two notable vocal left wing campaign gurus, were clear, concise and hilariously irreverent. More important, the book was non-partisan. There was as much in it for the conservative and independent as the liberal.

I may run for office one day and if or when I do, I will pick this one back up again. I have not read any of Carville and Begala's other stuff, but if this is any indication, maybe I should.

[Beth Haynes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is by campaign strategists for Bill Clinton and other liberal politicians. In spite of that fatal flaw, I actually learned somethings about how to promote my ideas more effectively.
Some key points:
Know your objective and don't set it too low.
People learn and remember best through stories.
Be brief, relevant and unique.
Repeat relentlessly.
Taking risks leads to success. Avoiding risk leads to stagnation.

There's more. If you want to have an effect in this world, check it out.

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has been quite some time since I read this book and my review may not be fair since I have lost respect for Carville due to his poor speech at the Speaker Series. Yet, my impression now is that the book was simplistic with few insights. Except for a reinforcement of common sense there is little need to read this book.

[SC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carville is one of the brightest minds of the Democratic Party, and this is his ethos. His co-author, Begala, isn't dull either. It's funny, instructive, relatively fast reading that engrosses regardless of your political inclination.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I didn't actually vote for Clinton, but seriously, who doesn't love James Carville? He's hilarious, and he's hardcore. I can take Paul Begala or leave him, but I've kind of got a crush on Carville. Note the rest of his books on this list.

[Rebecca King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book by the 2 guys who ran Bill Clinton's "war room" during both presidential campaigns. These seem to be straight-talking, down-to-earth, genuine folks who can impart solid advice for politics, business, real life.

[David Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a Democrat but found the book had many useful insights for successful campaigning (marketing). There is a lot of rough language so be warned those who have aversion to such things. Worth the time to read.

[Paul Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hate their political views, but the book has a good message if you can get past all of the the Clinton kow towing.

[J.C. Paulk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it's a bit dated now, some of this is never dated. The question remains, do the authors actually believe what they wrote? If so, why can't they get other people to believe them?

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of all the leadership books I have read this one is at the bottom of the list. Struggling to get through it.

[Kirk Bower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful.... and yes bias

[Amad · Rating 3 out of 5]

simple and great maxims to work by. loved the stories but at times too Bubba lovin'.

[Kalma Piponius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. Think it works best in politics and in workplaces, but has a little bit of american flavor to it (well, not just a little bit).

[Melissa Grayce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good advice and amusing anecdotes

I have long maintained the importance of missing up. This book is a wonderful read if only for that chapter.