First published 2001
Stuart Stevens arrives in Austin to join George W. Bush's presidential campaign, where the governor greets him with "Stevens, get in here and let's bond!" Stevens discovers something unexpected: a team of Texans who genuinely like their candidate, not just his political prospects. He watches Karl Rove sketch the Republican master plan on a coffee shop napkin and accompanies the blue-jeaned future president to debate prep at a small Methodist church in Crawford. The campaign faces daunting challenges. The economy booms, making their "vote for change" message seem absurd. John McCain's maverick insurgency threatens to derail Bush's momentum. Campaign aides debate whether to attack their vulnerable Democratic opponent. Stevens witnesses the rise and collapse of McCain's challenge, the struggle to craft a coherent message against prosperity, and the heated discussions about negative campaigning. Through it all, the confident Texans remain convinced they will win, even when defeat seems imminent. Stevens tells the inside story of how a former baseball team owner became leader of the free world, revealing the surprisingly funny and adrenaline-charged reality behind the campaign the public never witnessed.
Genres: american, political-science, politics, biography-memoir, 21st-century, american-history
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: behind-the-scenes, fish-out-of-water, insider-perspective
Setting: Austin, Crawford, Texas
Period: 2000s
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