by David Corn
First published 2012
David Corn faces the biggest scoop of his career when he learns about a secret video of Mitt Romney. The Mother Jones Washington Bureau chief must track down an anonymous source, verify explosive footage, and convince them to go public. The video captures Romney dismissing 47 percent of Americans as government dependents who will never vote for him. Corn knows this could reshape the entire 2012 presidential race against Barack Obama. He navigates the high stakes world of campaign journalism, weighing the risks of rushing to publish against letting a competitor break the story first. As Corn works to authenticate the recording and build trust with his source, he grapples with the immense responsibility of potentially altering American political history. The book follows Corn through each crucial decision point, from initial contact to final publication. Beyond the video's discovery, Corn examines how this revelation fits into the broader campaign narrative and analyzes the first Obama-Romney debate. He evaluates both candidates' political strengths and vulnerabilities as they enter the election's final phase.
Genres: american, political-science, politics, non-fiction, 21st-century, journalism
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: high-stakes, investigative-reporting
Period: 2012
100 pages · ebook · William Morrow