Another view at the 2004 campaign.

[Mass]

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/01/a-great-new-hampshire-weekend-read/250969/

It is also a sympathetic and human book, in an enriching rather than a sappy way. One of the surprises of the book is how much Walter Shapiro ends up, yes, liking John Kerry, against Shapiro's own anti-snob instincts and contrary to the well-established image of Kerry as a stiff. He makes Kerry likable to the reader, too -- maybe the DNC should have thought of airdropping the book over Ohio in 2004. The book also has this to say about the process we're now living through:

Good to see a fairly mainstream writer remembering this book and Kerry (though I know Fallows tends to appreciate Kerry)

This should be a required reading for anybody who wants to write about the 2004 campaign.

[karynnj]

1. I really liked that book

One thing that he said was incredibly perceptive. He spoke of how when the cameras were turned off, Kerry continued meeting people and became noticeably more relaxed and warmer. He contrasted this to the norm for politicians - and singled out Edwards as having a movie star smile and a very pleasant demeanor when the camera and media stars were there, that disappeared when they did and his personality became far less sunny.

In 2006, he had a column where he made some comment on not wanting JK to run in 2008. I responded by email then saw you could post. I cited his book in both - he wrote a very nice response - essentially saying that he still would prefer having a beer with JK and was impressed with him, but did not think he should run.

[wisteria]

2. I think this is the one book from the 2004 campaign that I didn't read.

I know I have a copy-I think I will pull it out and read it this weekend.