Rating: 
Summary: ...all things being equal...
Review: Paul Begala, co-host of MSNBC's "Equal Time", has written a book that, not only stands as a clear catalogue of G.B.jr's non-acomplishments, but also a testament to Mr.Begala's long journey through this dark night called politics. He knows from where he speaks, and he speaks with a intelligent mind, emphasizing the lack of intelligence that it takes to be a republican nominee...(not that we needed another example after Reagan and Bush Sr.)! And for some real equal time, check out the video documentary "A Perfect Candidate", featuring Paul's co-host, Ollie North. There you will find a man you may not agree with, but you will see a man true to his convictons, while the repulican serpents around him are true to theirs, presenting him as just another apple in the garden...
Rating: 
Summary: Biased and inaccurate
Review: Like his campaign consulting firm partner, James Carville, Begala fights political battles through misleading soundbites. There may be much to like or dislike in Bush's policies, but there is no serious analysis to be found here. The title comes from a Bush verbal grammatical error from the end of a long day of campaigning, and this choice of title shows the sophmoric nature of the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Readable, Persuasive, if Partisan Case Against G.W. Bush
Review: Paul Begala's brief, partisan, but highly readable and very persuasive tome on George W. Bush reminds this reviewer of some of James Carville's books. The saving grace of this book is that unlike all of the Bush biographies, it is brief, yet well-documented. Begala looks at Bush not only at his background as governor of Texas, but most importantly, looks at where Bush stands on various issues and why his stands are not in the best interests of America. Issues discussed include Social Security reform, education, environment, foreign policy, the death penalty, and health care. The book is designed to help the voter make an informed decision on whether or not Bush deserves to be president. Begala spends relatively little time on Bush's personal and business scandals, with the exception of the little-reported "missing year" of 1972-1973, when Bush evidently did not report for Air National Guard duty. It is important only in that the media have focused in so much microscopic detail every movement of Bill Clinton's life, yet George W. Bush's life remains largely unexplored. Outside of this, the book stays focused on the issues. Recommended for all those interested in the upcoming election and for those who may not have made a decision on the choice for president.
Rating:
Summary: You'll Laugh, You'll Cry
Review: This is a teriffic book. You'll laugh, because the writing is as funny as the title. You'll cry, because the case against George W. is so compelling. And you'll thank Paul Begala because the case it presents is impeccably documented. Buy this book today. Better yet, buy two (as I did) and send the second to a friend who hasn't decided how he or she will vote in November!
Rating: 
Summary: Synoptic but with a LOT of Spin
Review: For such a little book (135pgs w/ another 15pgs of citations) Paul Begala's book packs a certain punch. As with anything political, understanding who's doing the writing (a former Clinton speechwriter/consultant) and what's their slant (demonstrate the case against George Dubya) helps to objectify the facts. The facts laid out in each chapter depict a different policy (internatl affairs/health care/social insecurity, etc). It is interesting to note over the past years that the Republican criticism of Clinton's Administration for fund raising and the insinuation of impropriety of accepting funds from friends/lawyers/celebrities who might've had an influence on legislation. But i don't seem to remember anything being said about certain OIL constituencies having certain rights in Bahrain due to Bush's father (then vice president). It didn't seem to matter that there WAS a conflict of interest and George Jr. benefited from that one as a member of the Cabinet! Thank you Mr. Begala for giving some fresh spin and perspective. The only chapter which is a little out-of-sync is the one on health care, which Bush's BIG plan was just unveiled recently, definitely after this had gone to press. I'm sure that Begala would rip it to shreds just the same! It's clear that he does admire the man, and is in awe of Bush's amazing ability to "fail upwards" as he puts it. As you read the book and understand how his failure as a student and later as a businessman, just kept propelling him higher and higher in the eco and political chain. (maybe even getting him to the highest failure of all?) The book is quite funny at times....but after finishing my laughter I was disturbed.....not at the absurdity of his claims, but even if the smallest iota of truth can be revealed from Begala's claims (which are documented from Bush's OWN words across the nation from the New York Times, to the Dallas Morningstar and Houston Chronicle to the LA times)...then this country could be in a lot of trouble.
Rating:
Summary: OBJECTIVE
Review: Book was somewhat humorous (although written with somewhat sloppy prose) . . . but, if you're looking for an objective discussion of the issues being faced in this election, look elsewhere. I'm am a left-leaning Registered Independent, and even I found the statistical information and examples to be misleadingly one-sided. Begala, in portions criticizing Bush's record in Texas, fails to take into account the special demographical challenges that are exclusive to that State. He fails to realize that, in dealing with social issues like health care and education, you can not put a New England standard on a State with obsticles such as much higher than average immagration from a non-English speaking country, and vastness of terrain that inhibits modernization of infrastructure. I put this book where one would put Al Gore's claim that he was "instrumental in the creation of the internet". It has little critical value in itself, but good or bad, it may lead you to examine the individual more closely. If you choose to read it (which I would recommend against), do so with the same mindset that you would have reading a book on Al Gore written by Peggy Noonan or Rush Limbaugh. Limit your biased humor to the Imus program, Paul.
Rating:
Summary: Is the George W. that dumb? I'm afraid so.
Review: Here it is, the full story of George W. Bush. There are some great stories, great quotes, and scary facts in here -- all of which make you worry about the threat of a Bush presidency. The author makes it clear, he thinks Bush is a nice enough guy. You might want to go fishing with him. But he'd make a horrible president.
Rating: 
Summary: About the Book
Review: "Every Democrat should memorize this book, every Independent should read it, and every Republican should fear it." -James Carville He was a poor student who somehow got into the finest schools. He was a National Guardsman who somehow missed a year of service. He was a failed businessman who somehow was made rich. He was a minority investor who somehow was made managing partner of the Texas Rangers. He was a defeated politician who somehow was made governor. You can hardly blame him for expecting to inherit the White House. "Is Our Children Learning?" examines the public life and public record of George W. Bush and reveals him for who he is: a man who presents the thinnest, weakest, least impressive record in public life of any major party nominee this century; a man who at every critical juncture has been propelled upward by the forces of wealth, privilege, status, and special interests who use his family's name for their private gain. A Texan, political analyst, strategist, and partisan, Paul Begala has written a devastating assessment of the Bush brand of politics.
Rating:
Summary: About the Author
Review: Paul Begala, former counselor to President Clinton, is the co-host of MSNBC's Equal Time. He first gained national prominence as half of the political consulting team of Carville & Begala. He is also a research professor of government at Georgetown University. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas School of Law, Paul and his wife, Diane, have four sons, whom they'd like to raise during a Gore presidency.
Rating:
Summary: Made me change my vote from Nader to Gore!!
Review: I would tell anyone who is even thinking of voting for George W. Bush
to run out and read this book cover to cover and then see if you
really want to vote for him! Begala does an excellent job of
showing the real facts of what Bush has done as governor of Texas, a
record Bush claims he's proud of!? Hmm...more tax cuts for the
wealthy, yet he opposed health insurance for 200,000 more children and
a Patients' Bill of Rights. Bush claims some people choose to be
uninsured. That's only the tip of the ice, Begala shows how
Gov. Bush made it legal to carry guns to church in Texas, put
voluntary pollution controls in place for big corporations (who are
also fudning his election), opposed a bill that would ban Texas from
executing the mentally retarded, and the list goes on and on. ....
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