Crisis Point

November 1, 2015

Lott and Tom Daschle were the respective Republican and Democratic leaders of the U.S. Senate between 1996 and 2003, years when the Senate and the country experienced such events as the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton, the 9/11 attacks, and the Iraq War. In this book, they, with writer and editor Jon Sternfeld, contrast the accomplishments and the tenor of a shared leadership with the polarized atmosphere of today. Lott and Daschle draw lessons from U.S. history and from their own experience to demonstrate that our present gridlock and "poisonous chemistry" is not inevitable. The Senate's "biggest problem," the authors say, is the three-day workweek--air travel has made it possible for Senators to spend most of their time away from Washington, producing difficultly when it comes to building personal relationships such as Daschle and Lott enjoyed. They cite familiar challenges including campaign financing, the 24-hour news cycle, and the decline of party influence, while offering a handful of suggestions, such as restoring a five-day workweek and limiting committee memberships, that they believe are turns in the right direction. VERDICT While readers will find it hard to disagree with the two lawmakers, whether their successors in the U.S. Congress will pay attention is, of course, a different matter. [See Prepub Alert, 7/6/15.]--Robert Nardini, Niagara Falls, NY

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 12, 2015
Lott and Daschle (Critical: What We Can Do About the Health Care Crisis), two former Senate majority leaders from
different parties, pool their combined insights as Washington elder statesmen, to unimpressive effect. They propose to provide a map for escaping a Darwinian political system that has made governing all but impossible. The book is on target when identifying some of the chief factors behind current hyperpartisan dysfunction: an unending campaign season, the corrupting power of money, and the relentless news cycle. In a populist spirit, Lott and Daschle also abhor low voter turnout. They have an admirable vision, but stick to safe, bland themes and comforting examples of past effective leadership. This well-meaning volume overflows with bromides like “freedom is an American value” while minimizing the aggressive lobbying and combativeness that exemplify political life in the nation’s capital. Its calls for public service, collective responsibility, and sacrifice will not halt the vicious pursuit of power or foil the red-toothed political carnivores that both Lott and Daschle know all too well. However sensible and benign, their reflections fail to offer any concrete steps to change the status quo.