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The Death of Politics: How to Heal Our Frayed Republic After Trump Hardcover – June 4, 2019
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The New York Times opinion writer, media commentator, outspoken Republican and Christian critic of the Trump presidency offers a spirited defense of politics and its virtuous and critical role in maintaining our democracy and what we must do to save it before it is too late.
“Any nation that elects Donald Trump to be its president has a remarkably low view of politics.”
Frustrated and feeling betrayed, Americans have come to loathe politics with disastrous results, argues Peter Wehner. In this timely manifesto, the veteran of three Republican administrations and man of faith offers a reasoned and persuasive argument for restoring “politics” as a worthy calling to a cynical and disillusioned generation of Americans.
Wehner has long been one of the leading conservative critics of Donald Trump and his effect on the Republican Party. In this impassioned book, he makes clear that unless we overcome the despair that has caused citizens to abandon hope in the primary means for improving our world—the political process—we will not only fall victim to despots but hasten the decline of what has truly made America great. Drawing on history and experience, he reminds us of the hard lessons we have learned about how we rule ourselves—why we have checks and balances, why no one is above the law, why we defend the rights of even those we disagree with.
Wehner believes we can turn the country around, but only if we abandon our hatred and learn to appreciate and honor the unique and noble American tradition of doing “politics.” If we want the great American experiment to continue and to once again prosper, we must once more take up the responsibility each and every one of us as citizens share.
- Print length288 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarperOne
- Publication dateJune 4, 2019
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.93 x 8.25 inches
- ISBN-100062820796
- ISBN-13978-0062820792
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“Wehner is a model of conscientious political engagement. [The Death of Politics] should be pressed upon both those on the left who believe that the only way to ‘resist’ the current administration is by sinking to its level, and those on the right tempted to wallow in it.” — New York Times Book Review
“Wehner—who is the successor to [Richard John] Neuhaus in the moral vigor and clarity of his arguments—makes a strong case for civility as an indispensable democratic virtue.” — Michael Gerson in The Washington Post
“Thoughtful, incisive, and provocative, Peter Wehner’s meditation on where we are—and where we must go—is essential and timely reading. Conservatives need it, but so do all Americans, because whether we like it or not, we are all in this search for a more perfect union together.” — Jon Meacham, author of The Soul of America
“In these grim political times, Wehner explains how America reached this low point and why Americans should demand more from their leaders. Ultimately a book of hope, The Death of Politics describes public service as a noble calling still capable of improving the lives of forgotten Americans.”
— Joe Scarborough, host of Morning Joe
“At a moment when our parties are broken and Washington divided and angry, Pete Wehner offers ways American can have a more civil, productive political conversation. Agree with his prescriptions or not, the reader will finish this book having met a man of faith, integrity and patriotism.” — Karl Rove, former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush
“Like a literary Paul Revere, Pete Wehner raises his lantern in this urgent work, shining a light on the causes of the withering polarization that has seized our democracy—and reminding each of us what we must do to save it.” — David Axelrod, CNN Senior Political Commentator and former Senior Advisor to Barack Obama
“In these dark and crazy-making days in American politics, Peter Wehner sounds a sober alarm of hope for our divided and discouraged nation. A seasoned political realist and a humble Christian disciple, Wehner clarifies, reminds, rehearses, enjoins, and inspires us to take up our citizenship anew.” — Mark Labberton, President, Fuller Theological Seminary
“A lifelong conservative and Republican, Peter Wehner makes a powerful case that politics is a noble calling that has been corrupted by Donald Trump. Wehner calls us as citizens to restore politics to its essential place by championing the civic virtues of moderation, compromise and civility. An important book.” — John C. Danforth, Former Republican U.S. Senator from Missouri
“A participant in one of Plato’s dialogues defines politics as ‘the art of caring for souls.’ That may describe the kind of politics Peter Wehner fears is dying. This book is highly recommended for all who care about the restoration of civility to American politics.” — Gary Hart, United States Senator (Ret.)
“The Death of Politics is learned, humane, and wise – in short, countercultural! For those despairing at the low state of our civic life, Pete Wehner’s worried, yet not despairing, guidance comes just when it is most needed.” — Mona Charen, author of Sex Matters and Useful Idiots
“This book, which puts Peter Wehner’s experience as White House insider and journalistic outsider to good use, includes a conservative’s reasoned indictment of President Trump, a moving appeal for public truth-telling, and practical strategies for combining civility with conviction.” — Mark Noll, editor of Religion and American Politics
“With unflinching honesty and sincere hope, Pete Wehner examines how the body politic of America has fallen so low and how it might regain its place as the hope of the world.” — Bishop Claude Alexander, The Park Church
“In this important book, Wehner not only reminds us of the virtues necessary to sustain the American experiment, he also offers a timely apologetic for politics. I hope this finds its way into the hands of a younger generation who has yet to see what healthy political deliberation looks like.”
— James K.A. Smith, professor of philosophy, Calvin College and author of You Are What You Love and Awaiting the King
“Wehner—who is the successor to [Richard John] Neuhaus in the moral vigor and clarity of his arguments—makes a strong case for civility as an indispensable democratic virtue.” — Michael Gerson, The Washington Post
“An act of moral courage.” — Public Orthodoxy
“An inspiring civility and decency in defense of the classical liberalism in which the American constitutional order is rooted, and on behalf of the Christian faith and commitment to family and community that liberal democracy in America enables him to pursue.” — RealClear Politics
“An incisive new book [on] the ‘death-match mindset’ that characterizes politics today. . . . Wehner still believes that politics can rise to a noble calling ‘to advance justice and human flourishing.’ But that can only happen if we bring back respect for the ‘craft of governing.’” — Washington Times
“Wehner admits that politics now seems dirty, undignified, corrupt and unprincipled, but he insists that politics remains a noble and necessary calling. Drawing on Aristotle, Locke and Lincoln, Wehner urges a restoration of moderation, compromise and civility. He doesn’t mind if such values seem old-fashioned — just don’t call them weak.” — The Washington Post
About the Author
PETER WEHNER is a New York Times contributing Op-Ed writer covering American politics and conservative thought and a popular media commentator on politics. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and veteran of three White House administrations.
Product details
- Publisher : HarperOne; First Edition (June 4, 2019)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 288 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0062820796
- ISBN-13 : 978-0062820792
- Item Weight : 12.8 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.93 x 8.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #669,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #770 in Church & State Religious Studies
- #1,241 in Political Commentary & Opinion
- #1,488 in Political Conservatism & Liberalism
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But then there is that quote, supposedly by Edmund Burke, but first version actually by J. S. Mill, about all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good folk to do nothing. Pricks one’s conscience a little. We are the good folk, ergo…………. And, if you are proud to be an American, feel something affirming about this Nation’s ideals, if not always its deeds, shouldn’t you do something r/th nothing?
Well, how about this? Learn a little something about a book dealing with contemporary American politics and with some possibilities for you to consider as your citizen contribution to improving it. Just reading this email FYI is a positive act on your part, and you may even feel a little encouraged and hopeful after doing so.
The book was published in 2019, so likely written about 2018. It is small, literally and figuratively, only 239 pages of text between undersized covers. The title is: The Death of Politics: How to Heal our Frayed Republic After Trump. The author is Peter Wehner.
You may have heard of the author, or read some of his work in the NYT or Atlantic. Peter Wehner is a committed evangelical whose antipathy to Donald Trump and to evangelicals who support him is very strong, and very public. Not only in this book, but also in his contributed chapter in The Spiritual Danger of Donald Trump, Wehner is blunt and outspoken about the moral decay in American Politics, decay of which Trump is both the exemplar extraordinaire and also a major symptom.
Although he has memorized many of JFK’s speeches, Wehner has been a conservative Republican most of his adult life. He worked in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations and was a speech writer and senior advisor in the George W. Bush administrations. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, "Washington, D.C.'s premier institute applying the Judeo-Christian moral tradition to critical issues of public policy,” according to the Center itself (Conservative Catholic writer/scholar George Weigl is also a Senior Fellow there).
The point is, when it comes to American politics in the last several decades, Wehner has the street creds to know whereof he writes. And what he has written in this little book has garnered kudos across the political spectrum, from Karl Rove to David Axelrod, from former Democratic Senator Gary Hart to former Republican Senator John Danforth, along with number of others, including historian Jon Meacham.
There are seven chapters in this book: A Noble Calling, How We Ended up in This Mess, What Politics is, Politics and Faith, Why Words Matter, In Praise of Moderation, Compromise, and Civility, and the final chapter, The Case for Hope. In style, the book is conversational in tone, with ample use of the first person pronoun, particularly as Wehner recounts his own political autobiography. But the author is not merely a journalist or political staffer; he is also a scholar. No surprise then, that Aristotle, Locke, Voltaire, Nietzsche, George Orwell, Pope Leo XIII, and a number of other thinkers on government appear in these pages, along with various contemporary newsmakers. And there are the obligatory end note references for readers who wish to follow-up what is written in the main text.
Unlike much of what I have read or heard about American politics (or experienced, for that matter) in the past few years, I felt almost completely “in sync” with Wehner’s perspectives on American politics, both its failings and its potential to move America closer to the ideals of the Founders. No panaceas here, no utopias in sight, but no damnation either. There is a middle way, although right now we have strayed from the path and are in need of a return. That return is possible, perhaps beginning with each of us doing some small right thing for our Country.
In my view, reading this book could be considered one of those things.
Prior to a couple of weeks ago, I had no idea Peter Wehner even existed. I watched the tail end of an interview with him, and was interested enough to give his book The Death Of Politics: How to Heal Our Frayed Republic After Trump a read. After reading Wehner’s book, I am somewhat confused in regard to who is the intended audience. Wehner, a longtime conservative, makes it abundantly clear he believes Trump to be an abomination. The thesis of his book is how did we get to Trump, and how do we recover once he’s gone?
The Good: Wehner writes well, and presents compelling support for explaining his concepts : politics, a noble calling; faith, as a source of our moral beliefs and here he espouses the Judaeo-Christian beliefs with more of the latter; and he petitions all of us to be more moderate and civil, and listen to what each other says. Wehner believes that we can change the system from the bottom up, but we must be willing to choose our words wisely and accept compromise.
Yet, Wehner posits that a disaffected electorate chose Trump as a near act of rebellion against our political process. But why? The seeds of disatisfaction stretch into the past forty years of tax cuts for the wealthy, growing income disparity, and politicians preying upon fear. The level of political Machiavellian discourse is overwhelmingly spread by the party of conservatism. The money of the brother’s Koch keep the nursery of young politicians fertile by supporting conservative candidates (shaking hands with the devil), and attacking fledgling liberals.
This also continues with the higher echelons. It’s interesting that Wehner writes “Congress exists to legislate”, yet Senator McConnell, figurative head of the “party of no” after the first midterms of Obama’s tenure said, “The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.” It’s sad that the Republican Party spent eight years attacking Bill Clinton, policy of no cooperation with Obama and then more time attacking Hillary, all the while drinking at the font of the Koch’s to get where they are now.
McConnell himself said of the Koch’s, “And I want to start by thanking you, Charles and David for the important work you’re doing. I don’t know where we’d be without you.” The Koch money is about buying and electing the candidates who will carry out the conservative billionaire agenda. This is where Wehner’s book has the Trojan horse potential. If liberals are to read this book and take it seriously, sort of the “take the high moral ground”, and the politics as usual continues, their throats will be cut.
Wehner believes God, Jesus and religion are the sources of human morality. If not for the evangelical Christian support of George W Bush, he would never have become President, with the single biggest niche item abortion. One wonders, if not for Bush, would 9/11 have occurred? Would we have entered the second Iraq war? Would a great portion of the Middle East have been destabilized, resulting in it becoming our ‘tar baby’? Once again the Evangelicals flexed their voting muscles and assisted Trump by overwhelmingly voting for him, with fear and abortion as main points of contention. One wonders if a Republican stacked Supreme Court rules abortion unconstitutional, do the evangelicals continue to pander to the right as the rallying issue of abortion is removed from the table?
Christopher Hitchens, as quoted by Wehner, “Religion gets its morality from humans, we know we can’t get along if we permit perjury, theft, murder, rape. All societies at all times, well before the advent of monotheism, certainly, have forbidden it.” I would suggest as further reading and explanation of human cooperation, Edward O Wilson’s Genesis: The Deep Origins Of Societies.
Wehner’s position on the Iraq war was that of an acolyte. Even though he now believes it was a mistake. He writes, “At the time, there seemed to be a plausible rationale for going to war, which is why it had the widespread support it did.” This statement is wrong on both accounts. Iraq was contained, and a threat to nobody outside of its borders. Also, it did not have widespread support. Russia, China, Germany, France, Canada, Mexico, most of Latin America, and the entire Arab league with the exception of Kuwait among 54 nations protested officially and opposed the war. Bush exhausted all the political good will he received post 9/11 by pursuing this war.
The Death Of Politics contains many statement which may give the reader cause to scratch their head. Wehner writes, “It’s worth noting that the American Revolution—unlike the French and Russian Revolutions—was characterized by moderation.” This is apples to oranges. The American Revolution was a revolt against a colonial overlord. The French and Russian Revolution were really civil wars. Enter our own Civil War, and the moderation phrase goes out the window.
Wehner writes about our present times, “We’re not facing a civil war a world war, or a Great Depression. In fact, as I write these words, America faces no external crisis at all.” One who reads this may remind Wehner that Trump’s election, the presidency of the United States, was more than tainted by Russian interference. If nothing else, fictitious FB postings, amplified by online ‘echo chambers, may have grossly affected the elections outcome.
Wehner presents compelling arguments, toward a remedy to heal politics in the United States. Yet, I question the specific audience for this book. If liberals buy into his thesis, only to be stonewalled again, it’s just like Lucy saying to Charlie Brown, that she won’t move the football this time so go ahead and kick, thus the Trojan Horse. By fiat of the electoral college, the past two republican nominees received fewer popular votes than their democratic opponents, and were elected to office. There is a growing unrest in the electorate, and this reader believes that the unrest is largely a source of Conservative money and ideology, with the end result, Trump. Ye reap what ye sow. Perhaps metaphorically, domestically, folks are beginning to search for and sharpen their pitchforks. Internationally, due to the course of our last two Republican Presidents, our position as a leader in the world has been squandered. Though I disagree with much of what Wehner says, he writes with conviction. I’d recommend this book for all to read, especially Mitch McConnell.
Postscript: For more insight on Mr. Wehner, google Wehner and Social Security. This will give you a bit more to chew on in regard to Wehner, his book, and the divisiveness that infects politics in our country.
Postscript 2: now that the final tally’s are in for the 2020 presidential election, Mr Wehner, how do you feel about your Republican Party continuing to support Trump in his fools errand to overturn the election? Pretty words, but Trojan Horse.