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Losing the Way in the Permanent Campaign
Dr. Orville Boyd Jenkins
A review of the book by Scott McClellan
What Happened (Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception) (NY:  Public Affairs (Perseus Books Group), 2008.  341p.)

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Scott McClellan was a top strategist for Governor George Bush and followed him to the White House, becoming his press secretary at a later point.  Scott tells the inside story of his growing disillusionment with the Bush administration and its culture of secrecy and deception.

The author develops an analysis of what he calls the "permanent campaign," a mentality in which the concept of promotion, spin and garnering support even in office shifts focus from the needs of the people and the good of the nation as a whole.  Self-protection became a major value for the Bush administration especially in the second term when, despite a reelection, Bush's support fell to a record low for a US president and scandal after scandal came to public view.

McClellan tells his story, and even as he reveals the negative dynamics that infused the administration, the reader senses his continuing admiration for George W Bush.  McClellan, however, honestly evaluates where things went wrong, and how the president was personally involved in losing focus and allowing the political process to become a focus of media manipulation and personal glory and justification.

This is an enlightening story, told from an insider's point of view.  But McClellan does not play favorites.  He writes coherently and objectively as he tells the tale from the point of view of how and when things became known, and how his perspective and realizations gradually grew.

This book does not have the feel of a partisan ploy or a disillusioned reactionary tone.  This is a political analysis, told with candor even if with chagrin.  You will learn about history, personalities and culture.  It will not all be pretty, but it is not all totally ugly either.

See related reviews and articles on this site:
[review] Ethical Challenges of Intellectual Poverty in Modern America
[review] Hilarity Sounds Alarm for America
[review] Obama:  Keeping Him Accountable
[reviews] Kingmaking Media
[review] Too Honest for the White House

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OBJ

Initially written 26 August 2009
Finalized and posted on Amazon and OJTR 28 November 2009
Last edited 1 May 2010

Orville Boyd Jenkins, EdD, PhD
Copyright © 2009 Orville Boyd Jenkins
Permission granted for free download and transmission for personal or educational use.  Other rights reserved.

Email:  orville@jenkins.nu
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