Search Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »
My library | Help | Advanced Book Search | Web History | Sign in

Books

You can't be president:

the outrageous barriers to democracy in America
Front Cover
6 Reviews
Melville House Pub., Sep 9, 2008 - Political Science - 288 pages
"This book lays bare the malfunctions of our democracy and the solutions in a superb literary style and a convincing manner." George McGovern, Democratic candidate for President, 1972

It seems like an historic election: A woman almost won the nomination to run for President of the United states—losing to an African-American, who will run against the oldest candidate ever! It’s the realization of one of the core beliefs of our democracy: Anyone can be president.

Or is it? What if a close analysis showed that the candidates were, for the most part, getting their financing from the same corporations and lobbyists … that they all went to the same schools … that their votes were remarkably similarly on most issues …?

In a rollicking piece of journalism based on years of reporting, John R. MacArthur, the publisher of Harper’s Magazine, talks to truly independent candidates—including the first ever post-election interview of Joe Lieberman nemesis Ned Lamont—about what they were up against. He gives the most detailed breakdown yet of campaign financing sources. He analyzes the parameters of the two party system, what the Constitution has to say about that, and how the media treats independent politicians. And he also discusses how all this influences issues of local democracy.

It’s an edgy, fascinating look at the system that’s a must-read to understand whether the most historic election in American history is really going to be about change … or not.

What people are saying - Write a review

User ratings

5 stars
0
4 stars
2
3 stars
2
2 stars
1
1 star
1

Review: You Can't Be President: The Outrageous Barriers to Democracy in America

User Review  - George Robbins - Goodreads

An overwhelmingly pretentious and whiny tirade on the lack of opportunities for white liberals in American politics. Gag me. Read full review

Review: You Can't Be President: The Outrageous Barriers to Democracy in America

User Review  - David Jones - Goodreads

Not everyone knows this or is able to verbalize it very well. Read full review

Related books

Contents

PROBLEM
27
PROBLEM
41
PROBLEM
61
PROBLEM
79
PROBLEM
103
PROBLEM
125
PROBLEM
139
1S5 PROBLEM
155
PROBLEM
169
PROBLEM
189
PROBLEM
215
EPlLOGUE
245
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
261
Copyright

About the author (2008)

JOHN R. MACARTHUR is the president and publisher of Harper’s Magazine. An award-winning journalist, he has previously written for The New York Times, United Press International, The Chicago Sun-Times, and The Wall Street Journal. He is also the author of the acclaimed books The Selling of Free Trade: NAFTA, Washington, and the Subversion of American Democracy, and Second Front: Censorship and Propaganda in the Gulf War. He lives in New York City.