It's My Party, Too: The Battle for the Heart of the GOP and the Future of America

by Christine Todd Whitman

The former New Jersey governor and EPA administrator under George W. Bush presents a detailed and provocative critique of the Republican party's increasingly conservative and extremist views, recommending a moderate, solution-based approach to government that the author believes is more in line with traditional Republican principles. 125,000 first printing.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Political Science

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Steven Voorhees · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through her passion and commitment, Governor Whitman, I've concluded, is determined to make the world a better place -- including the political world. A proud moderate, she's not letting ideological headwinds deter her. Her design for political living and for comity in that realm are the backbone of her memoir and blueprint for a stronger GOP. In her book, Mrs. Whitman heads a new mod squad and makes a very solid case for the role moderate Republicans can play in the party. Thanks to listening, moderates aren't languishing. On the contrary, they're participating and constructively complaining about the obstinate shift to the far right the GOP has made over the past 50 years. In patient and clear prose, she outlines how the party (if it chooses to) can march back to the center and remain there. By doing this, the moderate rib in the GOP umbrella can return strength to its central stick. For if even one of the ribs is weakened, it affects the entire umbrella, resulting in the entire GOP getting rained on. The shining city on the hill that Ronald Reagan championed can't be shiny when it's raining. Within this political weather, I think it's fair to say the party left Mrs. Whitman. But she's not leaving the party. She's staying, tapping her persistence and experience to make the party of Lincoln a more substantive place for conversation and leadership. Such ardor can no doubt lead to a happier political sphere here in America.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and I think that reading it after the recent election provides an interesting context. It turns out Whitman started predicting the implosion of the GOP during her tenure with the EPA. I was interested to learn that she was not, in fact, a cog in the wheel of the Bush Administration at that time. In her book she defends her stance on environmentalism and describes several situations when she butted heads with Bush and Cheney over environmental regulations (before it was cool to say such things), and her eventual decision to leave the EPA.

Overall I thought this book was informative and easy to read. Her perspective on the role of government in society was refreshingly reasonable - something I feel like I haven't heard from either side during my adult life. For you sticklers, though, there were a few typographical and grammatical errors, so consider yourselves warned.

[Laura]

I was really excited to read this, especially now, in the midst of the 2016 election. I read the first half of the book with moderate interest, and then um...well, to tell you the truth, I forgot that I was reading it. I found it in a pile on the floor a few weeks later and thought, "Oh, did I finish this? If I can't even remember, then it probably wasn't interesting enough to finish."

Republicans are becoming divided, religious fundamentalists are taking over the party, if you have even the teeniest, tiniest kernel of opinion that abortion isn't 100% the absolute worst thing ever in every situation you will be ostracized by the religious right and effectively kicked out of the Republican party, etc. etc.

Again, we're in the middle of the 2016 election. Don't really need to read this; we're living it. It just wasn't written in an engaging enough style to keep me interested.

Also maybe it's just too depressing.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this last year for a poli-sci book report - we had to choose an auto-biography by any politician and then analyze their ideals and position in the political spectrum. i chose whitman because she is a moderate conservative who aligns herself with the republican party but still holds many liberal positions. her message throughout the book is that if the GOP wants to be successful ever again, they need to move more towards the center. this book was really wonderful for me because it made me realize that the political parties do not have to be black and white - you can be a successful FEMALE politician and stay true to your individual convictions. never have my political opinions been given a better voice than with whitman.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course the parties are becoming too extreme. But, is that really the fault of a few political leaders or is it due to the money of lobbyists who are taking control from the general public. I believe that Whitman's arguments are sound; not only for politics but for any group working together for a common goal. You must come together and compromise in order to get the best possible for the group. We cannot let power hungry players make the choices because they will end up moving the group to the extreme. I also thought that Whitman had some interesting ideas on how to get more women and minorities into politics. We need to make sure that our government more closely represents the gender and race of America as a whole.

[Katey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this at a time when I paid way too much attention to politics and lived outside Washington, DC, where I learned to hate the federal government and wish it to be as small and non-wasteful as possible. I thought a good fit was the GOP but could not and do not stand for the social conservatism that now dominates it. I like "moderates" like Whitman and enjoyed this book at the time.

Now I pay very little attention to politics and I don't cuss quite as much. The TV remains unbroken as well.

[Kyle Kerns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moderates are the key to either party's victory in any election, yet the two parties seem to be pulling farther and farther from this middle. The problem is that instead of these moderates working to become their own voting bloc, they either go "with the flow" or don't participate in the process at all. Enter Christine Todd Whitman. While she is certainly not the "girl next door," she does seem to be a common person and more in line with America's values. If the mainstream political parties would listen to half of her ideas, I think we would all be better off.

[Njsideshowbob · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the republican party seems to get more and more socially conservative, I was interesting to read the moderate republican's take on the state of the party. I'm not a republican, but could identify with Christie Whitman about the status of her party, where they were heading and where they were going. It's particularly interesting to read how the bush admin railroaded her tenure as head of the EPA.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finally finished this book. I admire Whitman for her stamina and her intelligence. She is certain that the Republican Party needs to become moderate once more. It was interesting to read her description of the differences and schism in the party, which may lead to it losing in the general election. She calls the "right", social fundalmentalists. Hmmmm. She is certainly a feminist, pro-choice and wanting to see more good women in politics. Who doesn't?

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written, and she is certainly a smart woman. However, I think this book got dated fast -- she keeps on talking about all the things that the Republicans are about to do that prove how great they are -- and that they have not yet done or show any intent to do. Come join the Dems, Christie, we're really not so bad!

[Elizabeth Hiatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to read this as part of my effort to figure out what the heck to call myself these days. "Independant" just doesn't cut it. I think a lot of people are wondering what happened to the Republican party, while still not feeling they are Democrats. Will post again when I've read it.

[Emiliano Orencia]

Much respect for Christy who is one of those moderate Republicans that are sadly being forced from the party. She draws great insight without bitterness regarding the Bush administration and the current state of the GOP.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish I'd read this a few years ago. Governor Whitman clearly articulates what I feel are the current problems facing both political parties, but particularly the Republican party, and this was written 7 years ago.

[Chad Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Whitman, I think the Republican Party needs to shift directions from believing that abortion and gun control are our nation's primary concerns. She voices the complaints of many of her party members, I'm sure. Interesting and a much-needed contribution to the political dialogue.

[Cb · Rating 4 out of 5]

...I even got an autographed copy ...

[Joan Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

The history of the republican party

[Brenden]

It's My Party, Too: The Battle for the Heart of the GOP and the Future of America by Christine Todd Whitman (2005)

[Sam Snideman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a moderate Republican, it was refreshing to read something like this. I'm not on board with the Governor on a lot of things, but I do appreciate her perspective.