In an essay in The New York Times Sunday Book Review, newspaper managing editor Jill Abramson damned with faint praise "Game Change," the insider's look at the 2008 political campaign by reporters John Heilemann and Mark Halperin. Amramson saw "Game Change" as superficial and glib when compared with such classics as Teddy White's "The Making Of the President."
After finishing the book, I agree with Abramson. "Game Change" lacks the gravity and substance even of Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail." With its sardonic, cooly ironic comic moments, "Game Change" reflects the age of Jon Stewart, not Walter Cronkite.
The book takes a more extensive view of the primary fight between Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama than the presidential race between Obama and John McCain. A good two thirds of the book is devoted to Clinton-Obama, and a complete picture of the Democratic race emerges, including a disturbing look at John and Elizabeth Edwards. The glancing look at the presidential race results in a serious falling off in the book's closing chapters.
Overall, the book made me glad that Obama won the election. Everyone else in the book comes off as half-crazed creatures of emotion, ego and narcissim. Obama's egoism is repeatedly documented, but he possesses the ability of self-reflection to counter it. His and Michelle Obama's marriage easily comes off as healthiest and most mature. Hilary Clinton, while she shows many moments of anger, frustration and illogic, comes off overall as disciplined, knowledgable and committed. Her husband, Bill, is portrayed as a total creature of his emotions and impulses. Few others, except for Obama's focused staff, come off as rational, balanced adults.
Along with Barack Obama, the most compelling, complex character in the book is Sarah Palin. Shown as undoubtedly the most unqualfied vice presidential candidate in history, she still comes alive on the page with her mood swings, zany energy, uncanny political instincts and little girl lost in the big time personna. One of the most memorable visual images I've found in a book in a long time is that of her sitting in a tree at McCain's ranch, wearing a hockey jersey and soccer shorts, escaping from her prep work for her debate with Joe Biden. Despite her appalling ignorance -- one wonders how she could have progressed to college without acquiring a basic knowledge of history and government -- she exudes a ng vitality and physical attractiveness. She, and Obama, appear the faces of the future, and everyone else the past.
Another curious note from the book: it gives repeated evidence that the use of "F-word" is now commom in everyday discourse. All of the principals in the book, except Palin, use it frequently when not in the public spotlight. Perhaps it was prevalent in Teddy White's day, but Teddy never reported it, if so. My feeling is that the use of the word has grown more acceptable. Lenny Bruce would surely smirk and snicker.
I agree with Abramson that "Game Change" lacks the sweep, comprehensiveness and broad historic lessons of "The Making of the President." But Heilemann and Halperin's book is more fun to read. Another sign of our "Comedy Central" age.
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