GZ Expat, Part II

Taking Heat

I am nearly complete with Ari Fleischer's book, Taking Heat. The book is an overview of his time as press secretary during the first part of the Bush administration. Apart from some ranting and raving about how crappy the press is in their coverage from time to time (no arguments here), he gives some insightful looks at Bush's management and leadership styles. This has been the first book I have read that has shown him as who he is...

Some of my favorite quotes really illustrate this point:

• Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, the President on Air Force One tells those around him, 'We're at war. That's what we are paid for boys. We are going to take care of this. When we find out who did this, they're not going to like me as President. Somebody is going to pay.'
• To the Vice President, he said. 'We're at war, Dick, and we're going to find out who did this and we're going to kick their ass.'
• At another stage, 'I can't wait to find out who did it. It's going to take a while, and we're not going ot have a little slap on the wrist crap.'
• Later on, when planning was underway to attack those responsible, 'Our military is made to do one thing...kick ass.
• In a discussion with a middle east leader, the subject of Arafat came up and Bush was telling this man there were alternatives to Arafat, to which the leader replied, there isn't, he is the best they have, 'If there is an alternative, Mr. President, who is he, then?' Bush replied, 'I don't need to know his name, I just need to know that an alternative exists and your job and my job, is to create the environment necessary for that alterative to emerge.'
• After giving his famous speech before the general assembly of the UN prior to the Iraq war, he met with Hamid Karzai and told him, 'It's like speaking to a wax museum, no one moves.'

To me, these points illustrate a plain spoken man with a clear and concise vision. There are plenty of examples in the book in which people screw up in the administration. He quickly shows his disapproval and then tells whoever screwed up to fix it. He doesn't mess around.

I also noted that there are plenty of quotes that show how different he is in private than in public speeches. His persona changes, but the message does not. That is the main point...he knows exactly what it takes and has a clear vision for what he wants to do. Some people agree and others do not...but you cannot argue that he says what he says and follows all of it up with action. He walks the talk.

Great book.

Finished the book

For quite a while, you have seen Reagan's Revolution noted on the What I am Reading section in the left hand column.  During my recent travels, I was able to blow through this book.  A few things to note...

• This is a tremendous account of the rise of the modern conservative movement in America.  Not only is Reagan's vision outlined, but the battle that ensued for the 1976 Presidential nomination, which President Gerald Ford won...by 60 votes.
• The battle for delegates behind the scenes really got me interested.  I realized there was always schmoozing and back-bench work, but I had no idea the extent at that time.  It was truly amazing.
• When Reagan was enticed to speak at the convention after Ford was nominated...off the cuff, he gave the convention his vision for America.  And, America would not be the same.
• I feel as though Reagan was not ready in 1976...he truly needed Jimmy Carter to totally screw up the nation, prior to his ascension to the presidency.  Ronald Reagan was able to refine his message and his vision economically for the country in the next 4 years after the 76 convention. 

My favorite part of this book are the remarks Reagan made before the convention.  I have seen this on video before and always got a sense that the crowd was thinking...uh-oh...we just nominated the wrong guy!  But, this really set the tone for the next 16 years in American politics...

Better than we've ever done before, we've got to quit talking to each other and about each other and go out and communicate to the world that we (Republicans) may be fewer in numbers than we've ever been.  But we carry the message they're waiting for.

We must go forth from here united, determined, that what a great general said a few years ago is true:  'There is no substitute for victory.'

Highly recommend the book.