k8iedid's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks, I hated it. I hated it b/c Wilson - a Republican strategist and ad-man for decades - lays out the steps Democrats need to follow in order to beat Trump. And I'm so so scared they aren't prepared to play the right game and won't. Spoiler: this election is a referendum on Donald Trump. Focus on ideas later.
disasterchick's review against another edition
3.0
Some very good insight to GOP campaign strategies. I was a political science major and have enjoyed seeing the political maneuvering. If the Democratic Party takes Wilson and this book seriously they have a chance to derail the Trump train.
martyfried's review against another edition
4.0
After finishing it, I upped it 1/2 star to 4 stars.
I quit reading at 95%, but later finished it. I did like it, but it was a bit repetitive, and already getting dated. It was informative, and humorous at times, but I live in the California Bay Area, and can't do much to affect the next election. But I'll do what I can, and perhaps make use of some of his tips. I've looked out for some of his interviews and appearances since reading the book, and I like him more as I get to know him (EDIT: "Him" being the author). He's certainly irreverent, and sometimes gets carried away, but considering his mission this is nothing unusual. In fact, it may be necessary. Also, a lot of stuff that seemed made up actually turns out to be true. He just makes it sound like a joke.
The audiobook was narrated by the author, which made it more interesting, I think.
I quit reading at 95%, but later finished it. I did like it, but it was a bit repetitive, and already getting dated. It was informative, and humorous at times, but I live in the California Bay Area, and can't do much to affect the next election. But I'll do what I can, and perhaps make use of some of his tips. I've looked out for some of his interviews and appearances since reading the book, and I like him more as I get to know him (EDIT: "Him" being the author). He's certainly irreverent, and sometimes gets carried away, but considering his mission this is nothing unusual. In fact, it may be necessary. Also, a lot of stuff that seemed made up actually turns out to be true. He just makes it sound like a joke.
The audiobook was narrated by the author, which made it more interesting, I think.
mjohansson7's review against another edition
3.0
entertaining but eyeopening. Enjoyed the satire and was frightened by the reality of it all.
claudiaswisher's review against another edition
5.0
To call Rick Wilson an 'evil genius' does not give the man credit. I'm sure he's never done a thing in his life without calculating the pros and cons. He is brutally honest here, and it is frightening to see. He uses years of active work as a political GOP operative to work here, in devising a plan to take Trump down.
I'm actually glad I didn't read this earlier, because I can see, in hindsight, much strategy play out...
He is merciless about the same Dems my husband is...mealy-mouths who act above the fray. The ones who righteously vote third party, totally unaware they are voting for a GOP plant with the express intent of peeling Dem votes away from our own candidate. I did that against Carter, we saw it play out last election against Clinton, and the GOP got too ham-handed this year, with their blatant attempts to get Kanye West on the ballot in several states (mine included).
But this goes deeper...Wilson reminds us what we forgot (and still whine about) last time...the election is NOT a nation-wide race. It's state races. It's targeted state races...those few states where one or the other party can actually make a difference in the real game: Electoral College. Pyrrhic victories don't win the WH. Down and dirty state races do. We learned the hard way. He tells us to stop looking at national polls all together. Just stop.
He warns the Dems to nominate someone who can stay on message, and the message is Donald Trump and his vile leadership. This was written, as was Phouffe's, before Covid landed here and upended everything, but I think the Dems did a good job (I'm finally writing this election day...) of keeping the focus be on Trump's many failures. Failures of personality, of policies, of dispositions. Biden and the Dems seem to have run that disciplined race Wilson warned us to run. They have also, I believe, played the battleground states job much better than in 2016. Time will tell.
No one knew that Wilson and other GOP operatives, totally disgusted with what Trump has done to 'their' party would form the Lincoln Project. I see a lot of their tactics suggested in these pages. Wilson and the others knew exactly where and how to hit Trump.
He ends the book on election night, with the Dem nominee (obviously nameless...but often he uses 'she' when describing them) winning WI, PA, MI, MN, NC, NH, NV, with OH and FL in play. I'm keeping this list to see how close his predications were.
IF Trump wins a second term, it won't be because Rick Wilson held back any campaign secrets, or because he didn't work his ass off.
I'm actually glad I didn't read this earlier, because I can see, in hindsight, much strategy play out...
He is merciless about the same Dems my husband is...mealy-mouths who act above the fray. The ones who righteously vote third party, totally unaware they are voting for a GOP plant with the express intent of peeling Dem votes away from our own candidate. I did that against Carter, we saw it play out last election against Clinton, and the GOP got too ham-handed this year, with their blatant attempts to get Kanye West on the ballot in several states (mine included).
But this goes deeper...Wilson reminds us what we forgot (and still whine about) last time...the election is NOT a nation-wide race. It's state races. It's targeted state races...those few states where one or the other party can actually make a difference in the real game: Electoral College. Pyrrhic victories don't win the WH. Down and dirty state races do. We learned the hard way. He tells us to stop looking at national polls all together. Just stop.
He warns the Dems to nominate someone who can stay on message, and the message is Donald Trump and his vile leadership. This was written, as was Phouffe's, before Covid landed here and upended everything, but I think the Dems did a good job (I'm finally writing this election day...) of keeping the focus be on Trump's many failures. Failures of personality, of policies, of dispositions. Biden and the Dems seem to have run that disciplined race Wilson warned us to run. They have also, I believe, played the battleground states job much better than in 2016. Time will tell.
No one knew that Wilson and other GOP operatives, totally disgusted with what Trump has done to 'their' party would form the Lincoln Project. I see a lot of their tactics suggested in these pages. Wilson and the others knew exactly where and how to hit Trump.
He ends the book on election night, with the Dem nominee (obviously nameless...but often he uses 'she' when describing them) winning WI, PA, MI, MN, NC, NH, NV, with OH and FL in play. I'm keeping this list to see how close his predications were.
IF Trump wins a second term, it won't be because Rick Wilson held back any campaign secrets, or because he didn't work his ass off.
heatherneisen's review against another edition
3.0
On one hand it is very helpful to hear a GOP analysis of how both parties campaign. On the other hand, it makes me lose faith in society (or at least politics). Ultimately, Wilson is angry and it comes across and flagrant and unnecessary at times. But that’s also his point. Will be interested if he submits an “How to Campaign in a Pandemic Addendum"
mommatea's review against another edition
4.0
A comically chilling faux-reality check of what is in store for this country if things stay the way they are.
jeanetterenee's review against another edition
Apostate Republican strategist trying to help the Dems get out of their own way so they can defeat the Evil Orange Ogre. I fear the Dems are too enamored with their highfalutin' idealism to play dirty in the way that is required to beat the pure unmitigated evil that is the Republican party. I sincerely hope I am wrong.
huzzahcoffee's review
3.0
Excellent strategy and real talk delivered in a crass and not-as-clever-as-Rick-Wilson-thinks style. In the end I split the difference between the info (four stars) and the nonsense (2 stars).