Posted on 09/05/2004 2:50:18 AM PDT by leadpenny
Mr. Kessler talked about his book A Matter Of Character: Inside The White House Of George W. Bush, published by Sentinel. Mr. Kessler conducted interviews with the President's college friends, and former and current aids in an attempt to unveil the "real" George W. Bush. The author argues that despite his negative portrayal in the media, President Bush has strong moral values and is the primary decision maker in his administration. After the discussion, Mr. Kessler answered questions from members of the audience.
Thanks!
Amazon.com
George W. Bush is a direct and decisive man who is much nicer to his Secret Service agents than Bill Clinton was, according to author Ronald Kessler, and smarter than his critics believe him to be. A Matter of Character, Kessler's examination of the 43rd U.S. President, treads lightly on policy issues as the author instead focuses on Bush's positive personality traits and relates how those traits are positive indicators of his ability as a policymaker and leader of the world's lone superpower. Kessler spoke to several Bush cabinet members, long time friends of Bush, and other associates who speak, perhaps not surprisingly, in glowing terms of what a great guy he is. As for the criticisms of Bush, such as handling of pre-9/11 intelligence, the war in Iraq, and the economy, Kessler dismisses them as the product of jealous former employees, and a pervasive, biased liberal media (particularly Washington Post reporter Dana Milbank). By attacking the accusers instead of thoroughly dissecting the accusations, Kessler misses out on an opportunity to defend the president in a more substantive way. The portrait that ultimately emerges of Bush is not a particularly complicated one. He appears to be a man without flaw, and the book presents a similarly simple view of the greater political landscape: Bush and his allies as honest, shrewd, and virtuous, all others as jerks, fools, and ditherers. A Matter of Character lacks the complexity of Plan of Attack, the book Bob Woodward wrote after gaining similarly close access to Bush and his cabinet. It's more like a forceful piece of campaign material, passionate in its advocacy of the candidate and complete with a heroic black-and-white photograph on the cover, which will give Bush supporters plenty to cheer about. --John Moe
About the Author
Ronald Kessler, an investigative journalist, is the bestselling author of fourteen nonfiction books, including Inside the White House, The Bureau, and The CIA at War. A former reporter for The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post, he has won sixteen journalism awards—including two George Polk awards, one for national reporting and one for community service.
Book Description
More than seventy-five books attacking George W. Bush have been published so far. Now, finally, there's a book that sets the record straight against a backdrop of media bias. And it's not by a conservative idealogue but by an award-winning independent reporter who set out to find the real President Bush behind the two-dimensional public image.
Ronald Kessler was granted unique access to the West Wing and interviewed the key players of the Bush administration-from Condoleezza Rice to Karl Rove to the president himself. Kessler also interviewed Bush's close friends, college roommates, and former aides.
His surprising conclusion: George W. Bush isn't the most articulate or scholarly president in history, but he scores very high on the factors that count most: character and leadership. President Bush has a more clearly defined moral instinct, management style, and self-awareness than any other recent president.
And without question, President Bush is the driving force behind his administration, not the pawn of anyone else. In an age when politicians notoriously hem and haw while trying to please everyone, he makes deft decisions very quickly. He is bolstered by his strong Christian faith and the resolve he gained after giving up alcohol.
For many swing voters, this election will boil down to a matter of character. Kessler's unconventional book-filled with news hooks about life in the West Wing-will help them understand the real George W. Bush. And for readers who already support the president, A Matter of Character is the book they've been waiting for.
4 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
One Star
Sadly for George W. Bush, his deplorable character deficiencies have cost him the respect of the nation, much less anywhere else. This is a man who had strings pulled to allow him to avoid Vietnam as others went in his place, then skipped out on the last two years of his laz-E-boy National Guard duty, going AWOL. Then he lied about it in his autobiography.
The consistant pattern of Bush's personality is that he has others do his fighting for him, while he sits like a coward behind a curtain. All throughout his life, this has been the defining characteristic of his life, from Vietnam, to his governorship, to his first presidential campaign, to his Iraq buildup, to his second presidential campaign. This is a man who is too timid and scared to fight, but happily has others do it for him, like a second-rate pimp.
What we have here is a liar, a coward, and an AWOL flake. Apparently these are qualities conservatives admire, but they shall cast George W. Bush into the trashbin of history, going down in flames as the worst, most deceitful, most duplicitous president in American history.
216 of 291 people found the following review helpful:
5 Stars.
I thought this book was really good. With the onslought of all the biased bush bashing books, this was was surprisngly refreshing and surprisingly unbiased in its analysis of President George W. Bush.
The book talks about how Bush is not always the most articulate or scholarly President, he has what really counts: character, honesty and leadership. Who wouldn't want that in a president. The question must be asked: would you rather have a president who seems articulate and looks smart, but inside is full of mischief and deception... OR .... A president who doesn't always come off as looking like a genius, but inside is full of compassion, hope, moral integrity, and a yearning for justice? I think the choice is very, very obvious. I would submit that John F. Kerry is the former, and George W. Bush is the latter.
The book is not always praise to Bush, nor is it always heavily attacking him. It doesn't come off as an extremely right or left book, it is balanced, fair and scholarly. I would recommend this book very highly to anyone who wants to get a glimpse of the REAL George Bush, not the straw man version that stunch liberals have constructed.
Oh good.
It's coming on now.
I have ordered his book.
Whoa! He begins with, "I voted for Al Gore!"
I just heard that!
I am watching him in another window.
Is he in New York saying this about their kids being illiterate?
Interesting that the press at the time called Eisenhower, Reagan and Bush either stupid or not intellectual and inarticulate. History has been kind to the first two and will be to the last. They served the country well, protected it and left it better than before.
Clinton and Carter were called brilliant and intellectual by the same press. Both were failed Presidencies. They did not protect the country and left it worse than before.
LOL! I'm not certain.
The Booknote's programs are taped in many cities.
It's in DC. The place is actually called, Barnes and Noble Booksellers.
This guy is either a Freeper or a lurker.
Kind of ironic.
Don't ask me what ironic means. (Sorry, I'm a Seinfeld fan)
Morning! I'm reading Kessler's book NOW, and it's VERY good. Glad to hear him giving a few goodies from the book. There are many more Plus an excellent portrayal of Bush and his character w/SPECIFICS.
WOW he is nailing Hillary and Carter's character....and the hypocrisy of the naysayers.
It's great. I read his "Inside the White House" years ago. His trademark is to do research by talking to the "little people" (I mean that respectfully).
Discussing grotesque distortion of the Patriot Act and what is does...the ACLU and librarians, the press (and I might add some conservatives).
Question time.
Hey you! Good morning!
I am sitting here pondering whether to stay up
for the Sunday shows or not. I awoke too dang early.
Glad to hear you like the book.
I ordered it along with General
Tommy Frank's book.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.