As we approach one of the
most open presidential election campaigns in United
States history, Americans are now inundated with
information about campaigns from sources both truthful
and biased. This influx of analysis leaves many
wondering how can they make sense of it all? In
the compelling THE POWER OF THE VOTE (William Morrow,
April 10, 2007), longtime campaign strategist Douglas
Schoen explains the underlying dynamics of the U.S.
electorate—exposing the vulnerability of the
Democratic party, the underlying anger in the electorate,
and what Democrats need to do in order to win. Schoen
will revolutionize the way you look at polls, campaigns,
and elections, by explaining how technology has
changed modern politics and how it has helped candidates
win the hearts and minds of the public.
From the legendary New York
City mayoral race of 1977, where he helped Ed
Koch claim the throne of New York, to Bill Clinton's
reelection campaign in 1996, to Jon Corzine's
surprising and successful run for a New Jersey
senate seat in the 2000 election, to Mike Bloomberg's
tech savvy and triumphant mayoral run, Democratic
pollster Schoen takes the reader through the modernization
of the domestic and international political landscape
during the past thirty years.
THE POWER OF THE VOTE comes
at a pivotal time in the current presidential
campaigns. Schoen's shrewd insights are essential
primers on modern political campaigning, as he
explains:
- Why the U.S. government
has failed to use tools that can be tremendously
important in advancing its goals overseas—public
opinion research and sophisticated communications
techniques. Schoen shows how a finely tuned
political strategy in an international campaign
promotes democratic nation building the right
way—using ballot boxes instead of ground
troops. If used properly, public opinion research
is the one of the antidotes to the Bush Administration's
notion of just using war to promote American
interests abroad.
- What the Democrats
need to do to win the 2008 presidential election.
Whether the candidate is Hillary, Barack, or
John Edwards, they won't have a chance in a
national election unless they are aggressive
in fighting the war on terror, fiscally prudent,
and stand up for traditional values.
- Why America might be
ready for a third political party. Americans
are frustrated with the two major parties and—depending
on the circumstances, now or in the future—could
look for alternatives outside of them.
- Why Democrats should
avoid at all costs talking about the redistribution
of wealth and class-based politics. For years,
the Democrats have tried to win back middle
class voters by talking about the redistribution
of wealth through taxes, but only 26% of voters
believe the government has a right to do so.
- How the erosion of
the American Dream affects voters and what politicians
of both parties need to do about it. Schoen
says only 49% of voters believe that if you
work hard and play by the rules, you can lead
a solid middle-class life. And 61% say they
are not living the American dream. The same
percentage of people don't think they ever will.
- How we could have prevented
the war in Serbia and saved thousands of lives
by paying attention to their election process
and supporting the Serbian-led opposition to
Slobodan Milosevic. In addition, Schoen explains
how public opinion research and exit polls caught
President Hugo Chavez cheating and what the
implications of that fraud are for the Venezuelan
people and Venezuelan democracy.
- How President Bill
Clinton recovered from the Republican's Contract
with America in 1994 and reclaim his centrist
Democrat credentials—ensuring his reelection
in 1996, and placing him within the pantheon
of Democratic greats.
- Why money, while helpful
to winning a modern campaign, isn't everything
(but it helps), showing how Schoen took two
novice, wealthy citizens (Jon Corzine and Michael
Bloomberg) and helped shape them into seasoned,
successful politicians.
- How the techniques
and tactics of political campaigns are relevant
in almost every industry. Schoen helped AOL
circumvent a customer relations disaster and
achieve previously unparalleled success by advising
founder Steve Case to capitalize on his personal
appeal, publicly acknowledge AOL's shortcomings,
and present a new plan to upgrade the quality
of their network. Schoen also helped craft one
of the most effective marketing campaigns in
American corporate history for the launch of
Eli Lilly's anti-depression drug Prozac.
About the Author:
Douglas
E. Schoen has been one of the most influential
Democratic campaign consultants for over thirty
years. Widely recognized as one of the co-inventors
of overnight polling, Schoen has been revolutionizing
the American voter polling process with his firm
Penn, Schoen, and Berland for his entire career.
During that time he has helped numerous Democrats
to public office including Ed Koch, Frank Lautenberg,
Jon Corzine, Mike Bloomberg, and Bill Clinton.
He lives in New York City.
About
the Book:
TITLE: THE
POWER OF THE VOTE
AUTHOR: Douglas
E. Schoen
PUBLISHER:
William Morrow/ HarperCollins
PUB DATE: April
1, 2007
PRICE: $25.95
PAGES: 416
Pages
ISBN: 0061231886
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