Take It Back by James Carville and Paul Belaga

This book is full of details of Republican strategy which succeeded in defeating Democrats in recent elections. And perhaps you wouldn't be surprised to hear that it is full of what I would call 'dirty tricks'. It describes the bullying of the media to prevent them from asking the oppositions or even neutral expert response to press releases. The concerted effort to paint Kerry as a waffler, even misquoting him to suit their aims. Carville and Belaga also describe lobbyists buying Presidential and Congressional attention -- influence peddling 101 including a discussion of Abramoff.

But their main focus is how to get the Democratic party back in winning shape. A lot of it seems needed. Many Democrats, myself included naively believed that Republicans would at least play fair. But now we know better, and the Republicans need to be countered with aggressive measures. Almost every attack needs to be answered. And the authors generally recommend focus on moderating stances on controversial topics -- basically moving to the middle.

Overall an enlightening view of the Republican (sorry) 'enemy' and how it has created a winning machine out of narrow focus on pleasing the base. And though written in 2006, it even mentions the recently highlighted fact that the southern white voter courted by the Republicans -- those who vote against their own economic interests -- are turned angry by the 'value' debate hot buttons purposefully pushed by the Republicans. These issues include abortion, homosexuality and most shamefully racism.