Hewitt has described his writing style as "stonemason"-like: brick-by-brick, careful and gradual, without a lot of flair. It serves a subject like this incredibly well, and allows him to pack a lot of information and advice in a relatively small space. The way he keeps to his outline makes it a good reference book as well, useful--for example--if you want to go over his explanation of why parties matter. And speaking of reference, the appendices include the main addresses by President Bush regarding the war on terror, a list of crucial campaigns in 2004, where to get political news on the web, a beginner's guide to blogs, and the "Ten Key Talking Points for 2004."
Back to the book itself. If I had been Hewitt's editor, I might have asked for more supporting chapters on two key subjects: why Republicans should be trusted with national security over Democrats, and why Democrats could be relied on to cheat if given the chance (the second is covered more adequately but, in my opinion, some of the historical cheating could have been covered more in depth). This might have led to a wider potential audience for the book (i.e. more potential converts) but I suspect that information wasn't there for several reasons, specifically those explained in the "Parties" part of the book (such as "People change their party affiliations slowly and are embarrassed to do so"). In other words, this book was targeted specifically at a certain demographic, and I have a feeling that every decision about content was made with that target in mind.
Speaking of demographics, there is one group that may be surprised to find themselves interested in this book, however; Democrats who have Republican friends--and would like to understand why they would vote that way--would be well-advised to pick this book up and find out how a lot of us think. It's much better than listening to Rush Limbaugh or Michael Savage--you'd be much better off reading conservative blogs or, radio-wise, listening to Hewitt or Dennis Prager--since this book, being more information than entertainment and more reason than bluster, should appeal to a much wider audience than either of them.
All in all, If It's Not Close, They Can't Cheat: Crushing the Democrats in Every Election and Why Your Life Depends on It [whew!] is an excellent primer on how Republicans could win more elections, as well as why people like Hewitt and myself think they should win more elections.
Article comments
1 - Jim Carruthers
This sounds like a friend of the Memphis Mafia TCB crew, speculating about Elvis in '76, "I'm telling you guys, he just needs a laxative, otherwise, everything is good".
While you mention security, you don't have one factual point where the Republicrats (what? you have two political mafias in the USSA? How do you tell them apart?) have increased security, freedom or prosperity.
It pretty much seems downhill. And Hewitt just seems like a cheerleader for everything going to hell, just so he could say, "I told you everything is going to hell".
2 - Mark Saleski
dat's pretty funny.
why, just a coupla days ago, some republicans in new hampshire were snagged with their involvement in a scheme to jam democratic "get out the vote" phone banks in the 2002 election.
it's not in the republicans' genes...i guess they musta stepped in something.
3 - Rodney Welch
One word, Steve: Watergate.
4 - MikeD
I appreciate your review. I am glad to see that you agree with educating the masses more with the likes of Hewitt and Prager, rather that Limbaugh and Savage. I plan on buying and enjoying the book.
5 - RJ
Assuming Nixon "stole" the election in 1972 via Watergate (though he was certain to win anyway), perhaps he was just mimicking the behavior of JFK-LBJ from 1960, when the dead awoke in key states, at least for one night, in order to vote for the Democrat ticket?
6 - Rodney Welch
Did Nixon's forces use votes from dead people? I wasn't aware of that, but it wouldn''t surprise me. I mentioned Watergate because the Nixon Administration was so rife with corruption that it renders moot any discussion that Democrats have some sort of foothold on political skullduggery. Nixon would have probably liked Hewitt's book; he didn't like close elections either, and he took every possible illegal measure to avoid them. When Arthur Bremer plugged Governor Wallace, Nixon and Charles Colson personally discussed planting McGovern literature in the assassin's apartment. Maybe the title of Hewitt's book should be all, The More We Cheat, The Better Our Chances: Crushing the Democrats in Every Election and Why My Political Ass Depends on It.
7 - Lono
y'all are wrong and way off. There is no good in the world that can from a republican adminstration but tax breaks for rich white folk. In my eyes, the current administration should be tried and hung for war crimes.
It's ok though, because after the French fraud charges and the FEC charges... Cheney will be indicted by summer 05.
and let's be honest, the Democrats are not resourceful OR evil enough to steal an election. Especially with the conservative bench at the Surpreme Court. I must digress to your professionalism, when it comes to thwarting Democracy and strong arming elections... us Democrats are pretty much a bunch of freedom loving pussies.