PRAISE FOR THE POLITICS OF DECEIT

"From straight out of the frontline trenches of political warfare, some genuinely original thinking, a few laughs and a glimpse of a better world. Can’t ask for more than that."

–Molly Ivins, columnist and author, most recently, of Bushwhacked

"Glenn Smith goes beyond the hype, with deep, eye-opening insights into the history-making possibilities of online activism. Having run political campaigns the old way, Smith is no starry eyed idealist, yet projects a thoughtful and optimistic vision for democracy in America. The Politics of Deceit is a must-read."

–Wes Boyd, cofounder, MoveOn.org

"Glenn Smith has documented how a radical conservative minority has achieved political domination in America largely through deceit–carefully crafted, well-funded, systematic deceit. In doing so, they have fragmented American’s sense of unity, and weakened our position in the world, our military, our economy, our environment, our health, and our educational system. Worst of all, they threaten our very freedoms. The Politics of Deceit is a call to action, grass-roots political action. It is time to be citizens again."

–George Lakoff, Senior Fellow, The Rockridge Institute

author, Moral Politics: How Liberals and Conservatives Think

professor, University of California at Berkeley

A look at the language of contemporary political dialogue reveals the growing ease with which Americans are manipulated by advertising and the media, estranged from personal political involvement, and held captive by manufactured fears and enforced deprivations.

Glenn Smith (Austin, TX), a former journalist and political consultant, managed MoveOn.org's Defending Democracy Campaign. He is currently managing DriveDemocracy.org, a spin-off of MoveOn, and a consultant to the Rockridge Institute, a progressive think tank.

A compelling indictment of the Bush Administration's cynical, anti-democratic manipulation of the media

In this devastating analysis of American politics today, a former Democratic campaign advisor pulls back the curtain on the pervasive political manipulation of the media-and reveals just how fragile our democracy is. From political ads and talk shows to mainstream media reporting, Glenn Smith shows how American political discourse is now dominated by carefully scripted images and rhetoric-most of which benefit the Republicans and their corporate allies. The result is public apathy toward politics-and a real threat to American freedom.

To reclaim our nation, Smith argues, we must revitalize politics at the grassroots level-and liberals must realize that religion and spirituality are not antithetical to a progressive agenda. For anyone troubled by manipulative political advertising, self-aggrandizing celebrity pundits, and the undiminished role of money in politics, this necessary book lays out the full scope of the problem-and points the way toward solutions.

Glenn Smith (Austin, TX), a former journalist and political consultant, managed MoveOn.org's Defending Democracy Campaign. He is currently managing DriveDemocracy.org, a spin-off of MoveOn, and a consultant to the Rockridge Institute, a progressive think tank.

GLENN W. SMITH has been a behind-the-scenes advisor to U.S. senators and governors, as well as a partner with key presidential advisors to President Clinton and President Bush. He has advised major U.S. businesses and institutions on communications strategies and worked for politicians and organizations from Washington, D.C., to California. Smith, who managed the recent Defend Democracy Campaign for MoveOn.org, has established DriveDemocracy.org to open new avenues for political participation at the state and local levels. He has also served as a consultant to the Rockridge Institute, a progressive think tank based in California. Previously, he was managing director of Public Strategies, Inc., an international public affairs firm. Before entering politics, Smith was a journalist for many years. He lives in Austin, Texas.

Foreword.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

1. The Madness of King George III and Our Contemporary Political Dilemma.

2. Freedom.

3. Shaking Bugs Bunny’s Hand in Disneyland: Democracy Will Not Be Televised.

4. Dead Pope Music: The Press and American Politics.

5. The Threatened Habitats of Democracy.

6. Lantern Bearing and the American Covenant Tradition.

7. The Other Superpower: The Internet’s New “Interactivists” and the Public Sphere.

8. Shooting Elephants: The Language of Politics.

9. Freedom and Religion: The Visions of Jacob and Orestes.

10. In America.

References.

Index.