The Death of Politics audiobook

I met Pete Wehner years ago and can attest to his authenticity as a true conservative. We disagreed on most political issues, we always voted for different Presidential candidates. Yet I always enjoyed listening to his well reasoned positions,noted that he carefully listened to my different opinions, and learned that we shared a love for our Constitution and our political process. I always found Pete to be a man of principle guided by his faith that is so central to his life.His book " The Death of Politics" a blistering critique of the lack of Trump's lack of moral character and its effect of lowering our political discourse, is true to Pete's principles. The reaction against Pete by many of his friends and political allies for his staying true to his principles shows his courage.The book starts with his explaining why for the first time in his life he could not vote for the Republican Presidential candidate. He stated that party loyalty has limits and that for him the limits "were rooted in my belief that Mr Trump was intellectually, psychologically, and temperamentally unfit to be President." The book gives examples that support that conclusion, including repeated verbatim quotes of what Trump has actually said. Pete also warned during the campaign that " Mrs. Clinton could inflict a defeat on the Republican Party but she could not redefine it. Mr. Trump if he was to win, could redefine it from a conservative party to an angry, bigoted, populist one."But this book is not a bitter screed against Trump and today's political lows. It includes a thoughtful analysis of the basis for Wehner's belief in true political discourse and responsive government drawing from in depth discussion of Wehner's three inspirations; Aristotle, John Locke, and Abraham Lincoln. It includes discussion of how we got here and suggestions of how we can rebound including this quote: "For one thing, Americans can support people running for public office who model what respectful, civil disagreements look like. We can also oppose those who are the antithesis of moderation, compromise and civility.....Those in public life will conform their behavior to what their constituents demand and reward..."That quote leads to a warning to Democrats and Progressives who may be tempted to gloat about a morally bankrupt man like Trump leading the Republican party, who may be tempted to draw the wrong lesson from the principles learned from Pete Wehner. The true lesson of this book is that all Americans must come to a consensus of rejecting morally bankrupt individuals who are poison to our political process even if those individuals appear effective in advancing one's political agenda and that we need to restore reasoned debate ,respect for our political opponents, and civility in our country.That is the lesson that makes this book a great read for all of us

Wehner's years as a political speechwriter are apparent in this lucid and highly readable analysis of the current state of American politics. The most compelling chapter in this quick 7-chapter book focuses on politics and faith. As a devout Christian, Wehner is heartbroken to see Christianity used to justify Trumpism, and his anguish over the corruption of something he loves makes this chapter the most poignant and personal in the book.However, Wehner's book is not without its flaws. Like so many in the "Never Trump" movement, he views Trumpism as a radical break from Republican politics of the past. This is where he and I part company. It's unfortunate this book has no index because I am almost certain (but would like to verify) that the names Dick Cheney and Mitch McConnell do not appear even once. Given that there is an entire chapter titled "How We Ended Up in This Mess," it is difficult to understand how Cheney's radical view of unlimited executive power and McConnell's scorched earth partisan politics failed to garner even a passing mention. In short, Wehner's commitment to healing our country is admirable, and his understanding of recent American political history is generally illuminating; but he is not without his blindspots and never fully grapples with how the political rot created by people like Newt Gingrich, Dick Cheney, and Mitch McConnell laid the groundwork for Trump.

Summary: A book that explores the noble calling of politics, the causes of the deep divisions reflected in the 2016 election and the years that followed, and what must be restored if the American experiment is to endure.Peter Wehner, I believe, represents a significant swath of the American population that is deeply concerned by our current political divisions and the transformation of our political processes into hyper-partisanship, vitriol-laden discourse, and a disregard for truth, for the meaning of our words. At least I would like to believe that is the case. Perhaps Wehner just represents me and a few others.Peter Wehner is an op-ed writer for the New York Times, perhaps enough of a qualification for many to write him off without a second look. That would be sad, because before this, he served in three Republican administrations going back to Ronald Reagan. The fact that those of his party would probably repudiate him today reflects the transformation of our politics that resulted from the election of our former president, whose election had been opposed in a number of Wehner’s opinion pieces.Given all this, Wehner begins his book with a surprising assertion–that politics is a noble calling–perhaps not quite as surprising if one considers his background. He describes our current moment as a “slough of despond” and a “mess” but he argues that it is not a time to give way to cynicism or wallow in the slough but to recover what is noble in the imperfect practice of politics.First though, he traces how we ended up in the current mess, attributing it to rapid demographic and cultural change, middle class economic anxiety, a politics of contempt all around, and the failures of our governing class. The ethnic and religious makeup of the country has changed. The day has come when those who are white and Christian are no longer in the majority, the wages of workers in the middle class have fallen, and our political leaders seem to be out of touch in their elite bastions.Wehner then considers three political philosophers who have shaped the American experiment: Aristotle, John Locke, and perhaps America’s greatest president, Abraham Lincoln. To these he attributes ideas like no ruler being above the law, that participation in a political community is essential to a healthy state, that human freedom and equality are not granted by the state but inherent, that governments govern by the consent of the governed, that it is not the state’s business to shape souls, and that fighting for justice does not abrogate the need to recognize the dignity of those who oppose us. Wehner maintains we need to reaffirm these foundations and the dangers of deviating from them.Faith and politics is the subject of his fourth chapter. It is here that Wehner’s own deep Christian faith is evident, but not of one aligned with partisans. He discusses the moral basis religion has brought to American life at its best, ranging from civil rights to the Bush administration’s AIDS relief efforts in Africa. He observes the disjunct of evangelicals’ excoriation of a Democrat’s sexual failures while looking the other way in 2016. He argues that the ends don’t justify the means and contends that Christians need to focus on what Jesus actually taught, for the need of a coherent political vision rather than a stance on a few issues, a shift from a politics of revenge to one of reconciliation, and for the treatment of all our citizens as “neighbors.’ He argues that we need a gospel culture rather than a political culture within the church.As he looks to the healing of our culture, it begins with words. We need to realize the power of words to stir us to either principled effort of unholy actions. He’s blunt in his denunciation of the culture of lying in the previous administration and the chilling phrase of “post-truth.” He contends that we all have a role in the restoration of integrity in our words from politicians to journalists to citizens who test claims for truthfulness, not only of the other political party but our own.Wehner has not given up on the possibility of civility in our politics, of moderation and compromise in our policies (at least as of 2019). What I wish he could answer is how he would energize the “moderate middle” against energetic progressive and nationalistic partisans. I think he is hoping for the extremes to move to the middle, and I think this is highly unlikely in our heavily gerrymandered states where one’s base is all one needs to be elected. I personally have less hope that this will change our politics, but, like other virtues, I believe civility is its own reward, and part of Christian character that enjoys the favor of God, if not our political adversaries. But even here, Wehner holds out an interesting hope in the concept of the Second Friend (drawn from C. S. Lewis). These are not the First Friends who share our outlook but the person who shares our interest but comes at them in opposing ways with opposing conclusions. They force us to better thinking and action.His final chapter offers a case for hope, drawn from his own political experiences–both the low and high points. He reminds us that we have never had perfect politicians–flawed leaders have led us in times of war and peace. He’s not arguing for the pretty, but the possible–a politics that works.I found myself wondering if this would have been written differently after the contentious year of 2020 and the events of January 6, 2021. I wonder if he would have written with greater urgency. I would not have changed the argument though. Events since he has written only underscore the urgency of a return to the values he espouses. I think his plea for a return to the foundations of our democratic republic would have been stronger, foundations I believe partisans on both ends of our political spectrum are ready to jettison for their political ends. We need his call for honorable means in the pursuit of our political ends. When we allow ends to justify our means we will find that the fruits of victory will be poisoned fruit. The health of our politics and the democratic experiment will always be the worse for it.

A must read for all citizens.This book admits the irritations and limitations of politics while pointing out the honor and necessity of politics. We the people, in a republican democracy, are responsible for the governance we get. Wehner points this out well and gives good insight into the limitations and potential of humans. Wehner, like Harry Truman and many others emphasizes the importance of history. The young who will "keep," or not, the democracy Ben Franklin announced need read this book.

In 234 articulate pages, Peter Wehner conducts a refresher course on America’s core values of equality, tolerance, moderation, and civility and lays out a course correction for returning to those fundamental principles in our daily lives, our politics, and our government. As just one example:"The very idea of democracy is based on the hope that fellow citizens can reason together and find a system for adjudicating differences and solving problems – all of which assumes that there is a shared commitment to the integrity of our public words. When words are weaponized and used merely to paint all political opponents as inherently evil, stupid, and weak, then democratic foundations are put in peril."As a conservative Republican who served in every Republican administration from Reagan to George W., and as a practicing Christian, Wehner speaks with credibility and clarity on issues of politics and faith, the responsibilities of citizens in maintaining a democracy, and the relationship of faith to community. His solutions -- simple but challenging – rebound with encouragement for “healing our frayed republic.”

Wehner is a Republican and was a speech writer for George W. Bush. This book is a very honest, frank assessment of the political process and how it can be properly used to benefit society. He is certainly not a populist or a "Tea Party" advocate which he sees as destructive to the political process. That process at its best is successful at creating positive outcomes for a society. It is a very essential and necessary agent in any society. Creating outcomes is always risky and tricky. He is an avowed "Never Trumper" and sees his administration as destructive to our country. His theories are grounded in historical fact and perspective. I really enjoyed it and feel it is something we should all read in preparation for the 2020 election.

3.5. Not bad. I agree it's important to cultivate civil discourse, but that doesn't mean the very broad gap between positions and divisiveness we see now can be reconciled easily. I'm always pessimistic whether such messages will be heard at all.

Mr. Wehner, writes a wonderful treatise on how Civics education and the informed populous can end the gridlock and anamocity in politics. This Great Book advocates for Civility and Compromise two things lost in politics today. I really enjoyed it.

Excellent and helpful book. Like everything Peter Wehner writes, this book is very learned, wise, insightful, accessible, and ultimately very hopeful in pointing a way to better politics in our country.

A brief but incisive look at the contemporary political environment and ways to improve upon it consistent with the ideals, hopes, and aspirations of the founders. The volume offers suggestions which, in my mind, serve best as inspiration for engagement at the local or individual level... that is, what I can do to offer a bit of energy at the microlevel. I gained, as well, a very helpful listing of other political theorists and historians to read. This volume is not a bad resource for citizenship enhancement.

A must read for everyone who feels helpless in our current political climate!

This is a very good and potentially very important book. It has a message that could be transformative to our political culture in America. Disagreement is a good thing, and something that needs to be done better. The author's discussion of this topic is the biggest strength of this book.Unfortunately the people who are most in need of what this book has to offer are also the audience most unlikely to read it. Thus, the task of changing our political culture will be slower than it would be if everyone could take the ideas presented in this book to heart. I would recommend this book to everyone without reservation.

Awesome book. I think Pete Wehner has it about right.

Cogent and clear.

I found a lot of overlap between this book and Love Your Enemies by Arthur Brooks which I also recently read. Both books have good suggestions on how to work towards a more civil society.

Interesting assessment about the trump era from a disgruntled conservative who has served in several Republican administrations.

An intelligent analysis of our national quandry. If everyone thinks the system had failed, how can we be more effecive in exhorting voters to try once more to fix things? Wehner has some ideas.