Crisis Point: Why We Must – and How We Can – Overcome Our Broken Politics in Washington and Across America - Softcover

Lott, Trent; Daschle, Tom; Sternfeld, Jon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1632864622 ISBN 13: 9781632864628

Publisher: Bloomsbury Press, 2017

Synopsis

"An astute case for a model of public service that is professional and principled, attributes that distinguished [Lott and Daschle's] former service." --The Wall Street Journal

With a new afterword on the 2016 election

Trent Lott and Tom Daschle, two of the most prominent senators of recent time, served as leaders of their respective parties from the 1990s to the current century. Their congressional tenure saw the Reagan tax cuts, the Clinton impeachment, 9/11, and the Iraq War. Despite stark ideological differences, the two have always maintained a positive working relationship--even a warm friendship--the kind that in today's hyper-partisan climate has become unthinkable.

In Crisis Point, Lott and Daschle come together to sound an alarm on the current polarization that has made governing all but impossible; never before has faith in government been so dismally low. The senators itemize damaging forces--the permanent campaign, unprecedented money, the 24/7 news cycle--and offer practical recommendations, pointing the way forward. Most crucially, they recall the American people, especially our leaders, to the principles enshrined in the Constitution, and to the necessity of debate but also the imperative of compromise--which will take vision and courage to bring back.

Illustrated with personal stories from their eminent careers and events cited from deeper in American history, Crisis Point is an invaluable work--one of conscience as well as duty, written with passion and eloquence by two men who have dedicated their lives to public service and share the conviction that all is far from lost.

About this title

About the Author

Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott is senior fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center, co-founder of the Breaux-Lott Leadership Group, and senior counsel at Squire Patton Boggs.

Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle is the founder and CEO of The Daschle Group. He co-founded the Bipartisan Policy Center and serves as chair of the Center for American Progress Board of Directors.

With Jon Sternfeld, a writer and editor in New York.

Review

"An important contribution to an ongoing debate." ―Kirkus Reviews

"Have you lost hope that we can ever lick the hyper-partisanship that has made our politics unbearable and our nation less governable? Pull yourself back from the brink and read this practical, uplifting book. Lott and Daschle don’t agree on all the issues and solutions -- and the rest of us won’t either -- but they show how rational people of good will can come together to change today’s toxic environment." ―Larry J. Sabato, UVA Center for Politics director and author of THE KENNEDY HALF-CENTURY

"Trent Lott and Tom Daschle were remarkable Congressional leaders ... This timely book extends their public service by illustrating how political parties can achieve the greater good -- how Congress can again work successfully and regain public confidence and support." ―Former Senator Richard Lugar

"A compelling template for restoring Congress’s capacity to confront our greatest challenges." ―Former Senator Olympia Snowe

About this edition

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Press
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1632864622
• ISBN 13: 9781632864628
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304