The Price of Politics - Bob Woodward

The Price of Politics

By Bob Woodward

  • Release Date: 2012-09-11
  • Genre: U.S. History
Score: 3.5
3.5
From 212 Ratings
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Description

See how and why Washington is not functioning in Bob Woodward’s freshly reported, thirty-five-page Afterword to his national bestseller, The Price of Politics, which provides a detailed, often verbatim account of what happened in the dramatic “fiscal cliff” face-off at the end of 2012 between President Obama and the Republicans.

Now it’s happening again. In fall 2013, Washington faces a new round of budget and fiscal wars that could derail the American and global economies.

“We are primarily a blocking majority,” said Michael Sommers, Speaker John Boehner’s chief of staff, summarizing the House Republican position.

It was the land of no-compromise: On health care cuts over ten years, Boehner suggested to Obama, you are $400 billion, I’m at $600 billion. “Can we split the difference here? Can we land at $500 billion?” “Four hundred billion is it,” Obama replied. “I just can’t see how we go any further on that.”

After making $120 billion in other concessions, Obama pleaded with Boehner, “What is it about the politics?” “My guys just aren’t there,” Boehner replied. “We are $150 billion off, man. I don’t get it. There’s something I don’t get.”

The Price of Politics chronicles the inside story of how President Obama and the US Congress tried, and failed, to restore the American economy and set it on a course to fiscal stability. Woodward pierces the secretive world of Washington policymaking once again, with a close-up story crafted from meeting notes, documents, working papers, and interviews with key players, including President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner. Woodward lays bare the broken relationship between President Obama and the Congress.

Reviews

  • Price of Politics by Woodward

    5
    By Turkwolf72
    Excellent insights into how Washington has failed to address the financial crisis that our nation continues to face. From the egos and attitude of Rahm Emanuel and Barack Obama that prevented compromise during the first two years of the administration to the rigid opposition of Cantor and tea party members during year three, Woodward captures it all.

  • Scared Taxpayer

    5
    By wizardofAWS
    What a scary book Bob Woodward has written! Showing the vulnerabilities of the Obama administration prior to the 2012 election should be required reading for all taxpayers. I've become a huge fan of Eric Cantor and Paul Ryan as two of the republican leaders who still make sense of all the nonsense going on in Washington. After reading the price of Politics, I'm convinced that Pres. Obama cannot get us out of the next economic meltdown which he will be responsible for causing.

  • Great Read

    5
    By Richard Katz
    This is my first Woodward book and I can tell you I am thinking about reading more books by Bob. This book shows you what really went on on a very serious matter which is still a threat to the world today: the ever increasing debt of the USA. Bob takes you to a front row seat to reality beyond the demagogy of Republicans and Democrats. This book teaches you not to be fooled by what politicians say. My image of Obama and his team was drastically changed.

  • Who knew

    5
    By Minneapolis mamma
    It was like watching "Twelve Angry Men". Loved it. Amazing how we only heard the spin before this book. Thank you, Mr. Woodward.

  • the price of politics

    5
    By ChrisMarieRoberts
    Bob Woodward's best

  • You need to read this book

    5
    By ErnieMudd
    No matter your political point of view you need to read this book. You'll find plenty to like and dislike on every side but what's more important is what you will learn. Leadership styles, miscalculations, dirty tricks and poor choices. It's all there and each will choose to see some things and not others but if you can open your mind and save your perceptions to the end you will learn something. That I can guarantee. How Washington works and how it doesn't. Perhaps most importantly you'll begin to understand what the fight is all about and the truly monumental scope and scale of the problems we face as a country. I honestly believe that if everyone in the country read this book we would rise up and demand change that would shake our institutions to the core. Both Democrats and Republicans should fear this book. Thank you Bob Woodward for giving us the information we truly need. I hope time will show we're up to the challenge.

  • ثمن السياسة

    1
    By omar abeed
    ثمن السياسة

  • Amazing Book

    5
    By Damon Jay
    Bob Woodward has written another amazing book. I bought this for my iPad and couldn't put it down! A clear, well written, objective, behind the scenes account of politics at the highest level. This is a masterpiece for anyone interested in understanding the mechinations of our government in Washington and our top leaders. Thank you Mr. Woodward.

  • At last

    5
    By brent2112
    Great to see Woodward is still being a fair journalist, especially in this day and age. We all know about Nixon, the left loves him for that while the right may not like it while still respecting him for getting the truth out. So far the book is great, interviews also. A lot of insight on our current problems, and how past presidents handled situations by working with Rep and Dems and not against them. All in all it's just a fact based book.

  • An eye opener

    4
    By Wasem Gawish
    I find this book to be very informative about politics.

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