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Do The Right Thing: Inside The Movement That's Bringing Common Sense Back To America (2008)

by Mike Huckabee(Favorite Author)

3.63 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1595230548 (ISBN13: 9781595230546)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Sentinel HC

review 1: Good insights into the presidential campaigning process, and many insights into Huckabee's history, record and positions. Offers impressions and his personal experiences of many other candidates and national figures he encountered in the campaigning process. Many profiles of his campaign staffers (paid and volunteer).2 things I was surprised to find here in common with the last book I read by Gen Zinni:1. He repeats the conventional wisdom of the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. On one end of the judgement scale, it's just wrong. At the kind end of the spectrum, the criticism lacks any context that Katrina exceeded the scope of practically every previous American disaster in each individual measure (# of deaths, # of houses destroyed, # of evacuees, square miles... more affected, cost of damage, on and on), and the impact of the inaction of the governor of Louisiana and the mayor of New Orleans, not to mention the impact of environmental lawsuits that flouted Army Corps of Engineers efforts to improve the New Orleans levee system for years before the catastrophe.2. He gives credence to the prediction of GEN Shinseki that the invasion of Iraq would require 400,000 - 500,000 troops, which was totally bonzo. The peak number in Iraq during The Surge was only about 150,000. Should more have gone in earlier? In retrospect, yes, but Shinseki's estimate was ludicrously off-base compared to the force required to remove Saddam, and the too-small force left behind for transition to independent governance was far closer to the right-size 150,000 than 400,000 is.One of the best insights is the media obsession with campaign process to the exclusion of caring about records and positions.Bottom line, a good read with lots of tales.
review 2: I picked this book off my Grandma's shelf over Christmas, and the fact it took me 3 months to read shouldn't be a critique on this book, but rather on my insanely overbusy life these days. Generally, let me just say that the majority of the books on my Grandma's shelf would not be my first choice to read. Not necessarily because of political leanings, but more because memoirs and autobiographies are inherently too one-sided for my ethos, especially when it comes to politics. However, I became intrigued by Mike Huckabee when listening to him in debates during the 2008 election, and he had vocalized ideas that I was curious about. So the book came home with me.This memoir tells the story of his 2008 campaign, and it was indeed remarkable in many respects. Reading this now, while the current 2012 primary rages onwards, was incredibly insightful, especially of the candidates who are running again this time, most notably Romney and Ron Paul. I definitely gained insight into what a campaign entails, the realities of politicking, and the God-awful amount of $$ and influence that can be poured into it. These aren't new revelations, but let's just say Huckabee paints an unforgettable picture of this reality. His descriptions and stories about Romney just adds to my inability to trust him. His stories about Ron Paul only confirm his consistency over time, and despite the different political camps they occupy, there is a mutual respect between these 2 men that I found insightful.In the context of his campaign story, Huckabee relates some principles that guided his years as a governor, and inform his vision of our country today. His vision is backed by 10 years of experience. His credibility is hard to dispute. I haven't heard another critique of his years as Arkansas Governor (and I'm definitely open to reading one!), he maintained his social conservative agenda even when faced with a very very Democratic legislature, and negotiated meaningful changes. He was also fiscally conservative and responsible in a way that few governors can claim.One item that I found especially interesting was his argument for the 'Fair Tax.' I've been interested in the 'Flat Tax' concept for some time - this is something that takes this concept and goes a bit further, essentially taxing consumption rather than production. Its a concept that I wish more people were talking about these days.I very rarely turn on the TV, so I haven't followed his show, but I like and respect him enough as a person that he one of the very few people with shows that I would watch if given the choice. I'm very curious as to what he thinks about the current Republican primary.There are very few politicians that I find have the authenticity to gain my respect. Huckabee is one of them - and he has an effective track record behind him. There aren't many in this camp. This is an excellent read for anybody who is interested in this man, the current political climate, or seeking ideas for a way forward for our nation. less

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