You Have the Power: How to Take Back Our Country and Restore Democracy in America

If you are worried about the way America is being governed and want to reclaim the country you know and love, now is the time to take it back. Governor Howard Dean argues that you have the power not just to defeat George W. Bush in this election but to change the future course of America.

You Have the Power is an energetic and detailed guide to restoring American democracy. It exposes the radical extremism of today's "mainstream" Republicans and shows Democrats how to be Democrats again. By reigniting hope, by tapping into the energy and ideals of the American people, Dean writes, the Democrats can restore America's strength and standing at home and abroad.

Drawing on his experience in the 2004 presidential election and the hope and inspiration of the people he met on the campaign trail, Dean shows how real people — ordinary Americans like himself — can come together to take their party, the political process, and their country back.

"Months after his fall from Democratic primary front-runner to also-ran, the former governor of Vermont remains an inspiring figure for the voters and activists (many of them new to politics) who joined his confident, Internet-savvy campaign. Dr. Dean spent the summer encouraging fans to unite behind Kerry while building his own group, Democracy for America, to assist 'fiscally responsible, socially progressive candidates.' Clear, forceful and brief, Dean's book explains his new goals. The governor integrates snippets of his own life (from his Park Avenue boyhood to the Iowa caucus) with familiar positions from his campaign (Bush's tax cuts were reckless; America must not 'inspire... hatred and fear'). While he has little to say about the advisers (Joe Trippi, Kate O'Connor) whose differences got in his way, the doctor does offer a diagnosis for his 'scream' speech, calling it a mistake, but blaming its outsized impact on big media gone wild. Dean also praises Vermont's cooperative traditions, lauds Kerry, rips into Ralph Nader and compliments Bill Clinton, who 'won not by moving to the middle but by giving people hope.' Though it is unmistakably a campaign book, Dean's volume has long-term goals too, encouraging readers not only to vote but to get involved by 'building a community, locally and nationally.'" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"Though it is unmistakably a campaign book, Dean's volume has long-term goals too, encouraging readers not only to vote but to get involved by 'building a community, locally and nationally.'" Publishers Weekly

From the man who shaped the 2004 race and whose campaign changed the speed and nature of politics forever comes a powerful new vision for returning the political process and the Democratic Party to the people.