Böcker av Douglas E. Schoen

During his more than 50 years in politics, Democratic strategist Douglas E. Schoen has produced nearly two dozen books that have deftly dissected national and international crises and offered prescriptions for solving them. Now, in The Politics of Life: My Road to the Middle of a Hostile and Adversarial World, Schoen delivers his most personal work. Bringing to life the antiwar youthquake of his Harvard years, Schoen introduces us to Cornel West, Walter Isaacson, Merrick Garland, and other classmates bound for glory. A tense summer in Mississippi helps Schoen appreciate the long game of candidate Charles Evers, a bootlegger-pimp turned civil rights crusader. In New York, he witnesses the twilight of clubhouse power as he canvasses for society swell Carter Burden, “mob priest” Louis Gigante, and Ed (How’m doin’?) Koch. Taking time out for his own run for Congress, Schoen joins data wunderkind Mark Penn in pioneering overnight polling – getting to know everyone from Camelot heir Ted Kennedy to crack-smoking mayor Marion Barry to a brash developer named Donald Trump. Penn & Schoen evolves into a global consultancy, taking on strongmen in Serbia, Mexico, Zimbabwe, Turkey, and Venezuela. Two of its clients are assassinated. Three win the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1996, the duo guides beleaguered President Bill Clinton to a second term and through a wrenching sex scandal. Using a unique strategy for micro-targeting voters, the firm helps give Mayor Michael Bloomberg the time he needs to steer New York City to a recovery after 9/11.A HALF-CENTURY IN POLITICS WAR STORIES AND WISDOM Schoen seems to be on top of the world when a British multinational pays a fortune for Penn & Schoen. Out on his own, he shrugs off a new generation of progressives who mock his centrist views and his willingness to debate conservatives on Fox News. Gradually, he reinvents himself. He becomes a syndicated columnist, co-founds a new polling company, immerses himself in Ukraine's struggle against Russia, and saddles up again with Michael Bloomberg to help oust now-President Trump. Along the way, some former critics admit Schoen might have been right. Brimming with ripping yarns from campaign war rooms, The Politics of Life is also a manual for living a productive and happy life. Sprinkled through the memoir are the author's “Schoenisms” – lessons he's learned the hard way: • It helps if your opinion is correct. But first, it should sound convincing. • Take on a despot when he first threatens you. Bullies only get bigger. • Martyrdom is overrated. Don't fall on any swords unless there's an ambulance on the way. • Shaming and blaming your opponents might impress your allies. But it doesn't accomplish much – aside from chasing people away from the bargaining table. • Don't waste time on feuds. Grudges sap your strength and hurt you almost as much as the person you're fighting. • Most people are mixtures of light and darkness. Life is about learning the moral gradients – the grayscale – and deciding how much shadow you can live with.

"There is a great deal to learn in studying the successes and failures of Presidents Kennedy, Nixon, Biden, and Trump, four presidents whose administrations coincided with dramatic societal changes and challenges. Schoen keenly analyzes the four presidencies through the lenses of political polarization, election campaigns, their early lives, their changing administrations, the role of fast-changing media, the impact of shifting racial relations, the drama of increasingly divisive immigration issues, and America's evolving defense and foreign policy. Schoen uses these comparative analyses to create a masterful plan to unite America and save our democracy"--Amazon.com.

Political consultant Doug Schoen has been the power-behind-the-throne to Presidents, Prime Ministers and even a politician-priest whose brother was a mafia boss. He helped Bill Clinton win re-election and navigate the Monica Lewinsky scandal. He conducted the first-ever presidential poll for Donald Trump - in 1987! He guided Michael Bloomberg to three terms as Mayor of New York. Three of his clients - Israeli leaders Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres and Menachem Begin - won the Nobel Peace Prize. But two - Rabin and Yugoslav politician Zoran Djindjic - were assassinated. Here Schoen reveals the 50 truths of power he has learned in his prestigious career as a “Political Insider,” the title of his long-running Fox-TV show. It is a book for grown-ups. Power is a serious business. Good decisions can change your world - but bad decisions can too.The long-awaited life-time work of political art by one of the world's most successful political advisors. The 50 Truths about Power from the most powerful people in the world of politics and business include truths learned from these high-profile newsmakers: PART ONE: KNOW YOURSELF 1. FIRST, DO NO SELF-HARM  BILL CLINTON, President of the United States 1993–2001, Governor of Arkansas 1983–1992 2. YOUR WEAKNESSES ARE YOUR STRENGTHS . . .  DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States 2017–2021 3. . . . AND YOUR STRENGTHS ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES  EHUD BARAK, Prime Minister of Israel 1999–2001 4. YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED CARTER BURDEN, New York City Councilman 1970–1977 5. FOLLOW YOUR MUSE  SHIMON PERES, President of Israel 2007-2014, Prime Minister of Israel 1995–1996, 1984–1986 6. PURSUE A PURPOSE GREATER THAN YOURSELF  MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, Mayor of New York City 2002–2013 7. USE YOUR ANGER  CHARLES EVERS, Mayor of Fayette, Mississippi 1985–1989, 1969–1981 8. DEFINE YOURSELF, YOURSELF  HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, US Secretary of State 2009–2013, US Senator 2001–2009, First Lady 1993–2001? 9. BE HAPPY, BE POPULAR SILVIO BERLUSCONI, Prime Minister of Italy 2008–2011, 2001–2006, 1994–1995 PART TWO: EVALUATE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES 10. SUCK IT UP  JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 2021–,Vice-President of the United States 2009–2017, US Senator 1973–2009 11. THE WORLD IS EVERYTHING THAT IS SAID AND DONE . . .  THE LIKELY VOTER 12. . . . AND THE WORLD IS EVERYTHING THAT IS NOT SAID AND NOT DONE  THE “SHY TRUMPER” 13. PEOPLE ARE NOT NORMAL  ANTHONY WEINER, US Representative 1999–2011 14. THINK WITHOUT HOPE  ASHRAF GHANI, President of Afghanistan 2014–2021, and JOE BIDEN 15. PIGGYBACK THE STORY  ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ, US Representative 2019– 16. DISTRACT AND MISLEAD  ED KOCH, Mayor of New York City 1978–1989 17. APPROACH THE THRONE  RICHARD HOLBROOKE, US Permanent Representative to the United Nations 1999–2001, Balkans envoy 1996–1999 18. PREPARE FOR LUCK  JOE BIDEN PART THREE JUDGE YOUR TIMING 19. TIME IS THE ONLY THING IN LIMITED SUPPLY  BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 2009–2017, US Senator 2005–2008? 20. INERTIA RULES  THE INSTITUTIONAL REVOLUTIONARY PARTY OF MEXICO 21. THE WORLD CHANGES QUICKLY  MICHAEL BLOOMBERG 22. “WHEN AVAILABLE, TAKE CERTAINTY”  SHIMON PERES 23. . . . OR STRATEGICALLY DELAY  BILL CLINTON 24. OUTWORK  MICHAEL BLOOMBERG 25. TAKE THE RISK  MENACHEM BEGIN, Prime Minister of Israel 1977–1983 PART FOUR REWARD YOUR FRIENDS 26. YOU ARE YOUR FRIENDS  “THE WEST SIDE KIDS” 27. YOU CAN EARN YOURSELF A LOT OF GOODWILL VERY CHEAPLY . . .  LOBBYING 28. . . . AND YOU CAN EARN YOURSELF A LOT OF BAD WILL EVEN CHEAPER BENJAMIN (BIBI) NETANYAHU, Prime Minister of Israel 2009–2021, 1996–1999 29. EVERYONE CAN HELP YOU AND EVERYONE CAN HURT YOU  LINDA TRIPP, Pentagon staffer 1995–2001, White House staffer, 1991–1994 30. YOU HAVE TO GIVE TO GET  TED CRUZ, US Senator 2013– 31. FIND YOUR FOLLOWERS  DONALD TRUMP

WARNING: IMMEDIATE GLOBAL THREAT TO ALL DEMOCRATIC NATIONS BY THE CHINA-RUSSIA AXISAmerica's future has never seemed more uncertain. Our politics are dysfunctional; our cultural cohesion is a thing of the past; our institutions have lost legitimacy; and our identity as Americans seems increasingly subordinate to tribal or ideological identities. Overhanging all these issues is a loss of confidence in democracy itself, both in America and around the world, and the concomitant rise of authoritarianism as a viable model of governance in the eyes of millions. At the center of this story are two nations-Russia and China-that together stand as a profound challenge to the American and Western future, and to the future of democracy and human rights around the globe. As America unravels, China and Russia have taken every opportunity to expand their opportunities and consolidate their gains. If the United States is to prevail in this struggle, our efforts must begin with a better understanding of our determined adversaries in Beijing and Moscow-and of how their successes have emboldened the cause of authoritarianism around the world, to the detriment of free societies and free people. HIGH PRAISE FOR DOUGLAS E. SCHOEN Collapse "A remarkably comprehensive analysis of the challenges-internal and external-that we face today. Schoen is able to write intelligently about domestic and international issues alike, weaving them into one worrisome picture of the world… Well worth reading." -Fareed Zakaria, CNN host and author of The Post-American World Putin's Master Plan "Peace and security are deteriorating across Europe not only because of the heightened terrorist threat, but also because of a toxic mix of Russian belligerence and NATO weakness. In this timely analysis, Douglas Schoen argues convincingly that American leadership remains key to peace in Europe, as it has for over seventy years." -John Bolton, Former National Security Advisor and bestselling author of The Room Where It Happened America in the Age of Trump "… a terrific read, engaging and richly sourced, a provocative take on big, controversial issues and on political leaders... especially powerful regarding the loss of trust in institutions… it will challenge you to think critically about your own views and justify your idea of the American future." -Bob Shrum, Democratic strategist and the Carmen H. and Louis Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics at the University of Southern California

WHAT AMERICA MUST DO TO ACHIEVE UNITY AND SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY AMERICA: UNITE OR DIE is a real-time analysis of why American Democracy is crumbling and why both sides – Republicans and Democrats – are responsible for its collapse. This is the first objective, nonpartisan analysis of what has happened, and most importantly, explains what we can do to avoid impending doom for our system, and most of all, our nation.  ONE NATION, INDIVISIBLE? America is the only country in the history of the world founded on an idea—and that idea is liberty. It’s an idea that resulted in the most flourishing citizenry in human history, but today that idea is under attack, not just from foreign adversaries but from within as the extreme right of the Republican Party and extreme left of the Democratic Party move further and further apart. These dangerous, corrosive positions pose a serious threat to the foundations of American democracy as we now face: ·      A political class that has lost touch with mainstream America. ·      Public loss of trust in the institutions of democracy. ·      The rise and mobilization of extremism on the right and left, both threatening violence. ·      The rise of social media, websites, and cable TV news that splinters audiences and creates alternate realities. ·      Inequality of opportunity that creates a two-tiered society of haves and have-nots.  ·      Anti-democratic regimes ruling China and Russia that threaten freedom around the world. In an era of growing distrust, demonization, and hatred, as we live America’s tragic ‘Tale of Two Cities,’ our most inspired turn is to embrace the idea engendered in a true symbol of American democracy: the mighty woman with a torch, ‘the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World’: “Give me your tired, your poor/ Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”. When citizens who work hard and play by the rules believe they have no shot at the American Dream — or conclude that the American values, identity, and the principles they grew up with are vanishing — a giant question mark hangs over the future of our democracy. If we hope to preserve our democracy, both sides must start by reaffirming their belief in the democratic principles of America so they can move from the fringes to the moderate middle-of-the-road positions that millions of Americans embrace. AMERICA: UNITE OR DIE is an inspired plan to turn the Divided States of America into the Reunited State of America. “America: Unite or Die is a must-read for anyone interested in politics and governing or in the current dysfunction of our political system. Douglas Schoen and Carly Cooperman are great scholars and practitioners of American politics. They are two of the country's finest pollsters and strategists who have seen it all—from advising presidents in the White House to analyzing the voters in the precincts across America. The polarization in this country today is explained clearly. Every citizen who cares about this extraordinary country of ours should read this book and be enlightened about what's going on around them.” —Ed Rollins, former assistant to President Reagan for political and governmental affairs, and former co-chairman to the National Republican Congressional Committee

A comprehensive look at the decline of the United States offers non-ideological remedies on how to overcome national self-doubt, reclaim optimism, and secure a prosperous future for American citizens.

Vladimir Putin has a master plan to destroy Europe, divide NATO, reclaim Russian influence in the world, and most of all to marginalize the United States and the West in order to achieve regional hegemony and global power. Putin's unified strategy and vision for Europe has not been thoroughly discussed or articulated in any meaningful way until now. Putin's Master Plan is the first comprehensive attempt to systematically explain Putin's global strategy, which could inevitably and inexorably lead to the breakup of the NATO alliance, and potentially to war with the West. Currently, the West has no strategy, no plan, and no tactics to confront Putin's master plan other than imposing limited economic sanctions, which have done little to deter Putin's aggression-and may well have encouraged and facilitated it. The viewpoint taken here is not just alarmism, but an accurate and, for the first time, clear and sober portrayal of a frightening situation that, more and more, serious observers of European and Russian politics are openly recognizing and acknowledging.Putin's Master Plan makes the case that it is essential to wake up to Putin's strategy to destroy Europe, divide NATO, and build a new empire in the former Soviet Union. Russia has demonstrated an extraordinary level of aggression, most boldly in its outright invasions of Georgia and Ukraine. American weakness and a divided Europe have left Russia's terrified neighbors without an alternative to Russian domination, and even once-stalwart American allies such as the Republic of Georgia are on the brink of becoming part of Putin's new empire in Europe. Putin has made it clear that he sees NATO expansion as a fundamental threat to Russian nationhood, and he is systematically challenging the NATO Alliance as well as the United States. So far, he is winning.

The United States is a nation in crisis. While Washington's ability to address our most pressing challenges has been rendered nearly impotent by ongoing partisan warfare, we face an array of foreign-policy crises for which we seem increasingly unprepared. Among these, none is more formidable than the unprecedented partnership developing between Russia and China, suspicious neighbors for centuries and fellow Communist antagonists during the Cold War. The two longtime foes have drawn increasingly close together because of a confluence of geostrategic, political, and economic interests-all of which have a common theme of diminishing, subverting, or displacing American power. While America's influence around the world recedes-in its military and diplomatic power, in its political leverage, in its economic might, and, perhaps most dangerously, in the power and appeal of its ideas-Russia and China have seen their influence increase. From their support for rogue regimes such as those in Iran, North Korea, and Syria to their military and nuclear buildups to their aggressive use of cyber warfare and intelligence theft, Moscow and Beijing are playing the game for keeps. Meanwhile America, pledged to "leading from behind,? no longer does much leading at all. In Return to Winter, Douglas E. Schoen and Melik Kaylan systematically chronicle the growing threat from the Russian-Chinese Axis, and they argue that only a rebirth of American global leadership can counter the corrosive impact of this antidemocratic alliance, which may soon threaten the peace and security of the world.