Description
Book SynopsisWhile much is known about the frontline of politics, little is revealed about the professionals who labor in secret to make the system work. Hired Gun: A Political Odyssey examines how political parties function and how elections are won or lost. This book follows the adventures of one man''s behind-the-scenes political consulting career from local, to state, to national politics. As a political practice, the democratic system remains the most successful form of government in the history of civilization. However, as a profession, politics is still in its youth and riddled with flaws. By offering readers an insider''s perspective, Alex Ray challenges us to draw our own conclusion as to whether or not this country''s method of selecting leaders is current or fair. In today''s political campaigns few decisions are ever as simple as black and white. Hired Gun is an exclusive look at what goes on in the grey.
Trade ReviewLoaded with anecdotes about famous and infamous politicians Ray has had for clients or has dealt with in other ways, is a treat for political junkies. As a primer for would-be political consultants, it contains its fair share of advice, from how to put a client’s best foot forward to how to keep it out of his mouth long enough to get him elected. Political science graduates who pick up the book will soon sense that a real political campaign has little or no relevance to what they may have been taught in the college classroom. * Bangor Daily News *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Acknowledgements Chapter 3 Introduction Chapter 4 Chapter 1: Seduced by Politics Chapter 5 Chapter 2: My Mentor Chapter 6 Chapter 3: Learning and Growing Chapter 7 Chapter 4: Becoming a Professional Chapter 8 Chapter 5: Maine Chapter 9 Chapter 6: Moving to Vermont Chapter 10 Chapter 7: Heading South Chapter 11 Chapter 8: National Politics Chapter 12 Chapter 9: The Brock Era Chapter 13 Chapter 10: The Reagan Campaign Chapter 14 Chapter 11: The October Surprise Chapter 15 Chapter 12: Chesapeake Media Chapter 16 Chapter 13: 1982 Disaster Chapter 17 Chapter 14: Returning to Philadelphia Chapter 18 Chapter 15: Morning in America Chapter 19 Chapter 16: Doing Business with "The Mob" Chapter 20 Chapter 17: War Stories Chapter 21 Chapter 18: Foreign Politics Chapter 22 Chapter 19: The Future
