September 15, 2012 I bought a copy of The Price of Politics by Bob Woodward. It was released four days before on September 11, 2012. In September, I was worn out from politics. The Republican and Democrat Nominating conventions had concluded and since 2010 I had fought for first Herman Cain and then Rick Santorum in the Republican Presidential Primary.
I cast an early vote in October 2012 for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. But again, I was tired of politics.
It wasn’t until this past March while on my Spring Break trip to an undisclosed locale where the tempeture was much warmer than Knoxville that I read the book.
It is a great read for anyone that has an interest in governance and the process of legislating. It details the maneuvering, negotiations during the debt ceiling discussions of 2010. All the cast of characters from the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate and the White House were most concerned with the 2012 election. Status Quo is never a good thing and that is evidence through this non fiction account of a multi month legislative process. It is an ugly process.
While the book did not change of positive view of Speaker John Boehner. My view of Congressman Eric Cantor has improved. Although, there were some differences of opinion among Boehner and Cantor. They both operated from conviction and personal resolve to not compromise their beliefs. Woodward had extensive interviews with all individuals involved. Again, if you have an interest in politics and the give and take of negotiation, it is a good read.
