Reassessing the Incumbency Effect Book

Outstanding. Honest and inspirational, in a way that drives politically active people nuts. Gerson's argument is primarily moral, which doesn't go down easy in an area defined as "the art of compromise." But I find it difficult to argue with Gerson. I've read other critiques of his work, and those critiques are often thoughtful, scoring points at Gerson's expense, but fairly. Still, what a refreshing conviction Gerson brings to political problems, and what a great writer he is. I know his co-speech writers have attacked him in The Atlantic. That's unfortunate. It's clear that Gerson, who wrote this book and writes a column in the Washington Post, is a graceful essayist and opinion writer, even without the eloquent assistanced of others.

The Washington Post recently reviewed this book negatively. The review, written by a well regarded Reagan biographer, was utterly unconvincing.

I encourage everyone to pick this book up. You may hate it, you may passionately disagree with it, or, like me, you may love every word of it. But you won't find it listless or boring.