Ever since 1960, the campaign memoir has become almost a genre unto itself. Over the years many of these books have shaped our view of politics. Theodore White’s, Making of the President, F. Clifton White’s Suite 3505, Joe McGinniss’ Selling of the President 1968, Hunter Thompson's Fear and Loathing on the 1972 Campaign and Richard Ben Cramer's What It Takes. In each of these stories men have competed for the Presidency with the strongest of passions, with the proverbial fire in the belly. In many cases that ambition drove the narrative.
Now Mark Halperin and John Heilemann reprise their 2008 campaign memoir Game Change with their 2012 account Double Down.
Except, they faced a unique aspect to this story….two contenders, one the President of the United States, both of whom seemed almost ambivalent and reluctant to take on the fight. This was a major game change along with the changing face of the electorate and of the country.My conversation with Mark Halperin:
