Get This Party Started: How Progressives Can Fight Back and Win

by Matthew R. Kerbel (Editor), Howard Dean Former Vermont Governor a (Foreword by), Alan I. Abramowitz (Contribution by), Chris Bowers (Contribution by), E. J. Dionne Jr. (Contribution by)

Overview

Progressives and Democrats have done a good job of soldiering on after the devastating losses of 2000, 2002, and 2004, but the impassioned discussion of what to do next has had a fragmented quality—until now. Get This Party Started: How Progressives Can Fight Back and Win brings together thirteen leading Beltway and grassroots progressive voices for an integrated discussion of the electoral, message, and organizational strategies that Democrats should pursue to return to power and establish a lasting progressive governing coalition. We are at a juncture in history when voters could be open to a progressive message that is thoughtfully developed and carefully delivered—and this book offers a blueprint for how to get there.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742540361
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/15/2005
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.72(w) x 9.06(h) x 0.88(d)

About the Author

Matthew R. Kerbel is professor of political science at Villanova University and author of five books on politics, the mass media, and the presidency, including If It Bleeds, It Leads: An Anatomy of Television News and the textbook American Government: Your Voice, Your Future. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, and he worked as a radio and television newswriter for outlets that included the Public Broadcasting Service in New York City.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction: Merging Message, Electoral and Organizational Strategies
Chapter 2 1: Getting Off the Road to Nowhere
Chapter 3 2: Explaining George Bush's Victory in 2004 (It's Terrorism, Stupid!)
Chapter 4 3: Moving Beyond the Gender Gap
Chapter 5 4: Solving the Values Dilemma
Chapter 6 5: Seeking the Common Good
Chapter 7 6: Crafting Policy and Message
Chapter 8 7: Closing the 527 Loophole
Chapter 9 8: Communicating a Progressive Philosophy
Chapter 10 9: Teaching Progressives to "Speak American"
Chapter 11 10: Fire the Consulants!
Chapter 12 11: Powering Up Internet Campaigns
Chapter 13 12: Blogging for Political Change
Chapter 14 Conclusion: Blueprint for a Progressive Era
Chapter 15 Taking Action: Talk Back and Fight Back!

What People are Saying About This

Tom Daschle

From historic deficits to an attack on Social Security to handouts to drug companies, this country cannot afford Republican Washington any longer. Let's get this party rolling.

John Edwards

It is great to see progressives offering new ideas for the America we all want, a beacon of freedom where all people have the chance to live the American Dream.

Editorial Reviews

Any Democrat in need of an encouraging shot in the arm or Republican wanting a warning shot across the bow would be well advised to read this book. Hardly a pop-culture infused, political self-help book, this is a serious book by serious people—pollsters, political scientists, journalists, policy analysts, and even a blogger and Internet maven. Get This Party Started explains what did and did not happen in the 2004 presidential election, why, and what progressives should do next.

Charlie Cook

We have a new generation of progressive activists on the rise, and this book brings us many of its newest, brightest stars, unafraid to take on existing orthodoxies as they seek to build an effective movement for the 21st century. You may not agree with everything in this book—I didn't—but it's uniformly compelling and thought provoking.

Markos Moulitsas

Who says progressives don't have any good or new ideas about how to advance their cause? Get This Party Started: How Progressives Can Fight Back and Win provides ample documentation that progressives have both. I urge all those concerned about conservative domination of American politics to read this book and, even better, to act on the many excellent recommendations they will find in it.

Ruy Teixeira

The Democrats managed to turn 48 percent of the popular vote in 2004 into a free fall in just one year. This book has it all for Democrats and progressives of all stripes who are tired of being on the losing side: recipes that include just the right amounts of organization, new technology, messaging, and conveying the heart and soul of the party. The authors hope to restart the party. This book promises to at least restart the debate.

John Zogby

It is great to see progressives offering new ideas for the America we all want, a beacon of freedom where all people have the chance to live the American Dream.

Senator John Edwards

Mathew Kerbel presents leading Beltway and grassroots voices in Get this party Started: How Progressives Can Fight back and Win Craft the message, plot the campaign, plan a better world, and—like a good soldier—fight as if your life depended on winning.

Capitol File - Barbara Meade

This book features a lot of information from some tough, smart, and often young people about how to get our side in shape to take on bullies again, both at home and abroad: say what you believe, tell the truth, organize, trust local people, pay attention to the American people, don't talk down to voters, get outside of Washington, and don't be afraid to talk about moral values, because ours are closer to mainstream American values than the values of the right wing. Above all, fight.

Howard Dean

From historic deficits to an attack on Social Security to handouts to drug companies, this country cannot afford Republican Washington any longer. Let's get this party rolling.

Senator Tom Daschle

Mathew Kerbel presents leading Beltway and grassroots voices in Get this party Started: How Progressives Can Fight back and Win Craft the message, plot the campaign, plan a better world, and—like a good soldier—fight as if your life depended on winning.
— Barbara Meade

Capital File Magazine