Showdown : the inside story of how Obama fought back against Boehner, Cantor, and the Tea Party

The veteran political journalist and New York Times bestselling author goes behind the scenes at the White House to recount the dramatic tale of a pivotal period in the Obama presidency, from the game-changing 2010 midterm elections to the beginning of the critical 2012 campaign season—a tumultuous time that tested the president as never before and set the stage for a titanic clash over the future of the nation After Barack Obama's first two years as president—during which he navigated the United States through its severest economic crisis since the Great Depression while managing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq—he was faced with a bitterly divided nation and an emboldened political opposition dedicated to impeding his presidency. What followed was a year of political crises and fierce battles that would transform Obama and profoundly shape the terrain for the next election. In Showdown , astute political journalist David Corn chronicles and examines this crucial time in the Obama presidency and its impact on the nation's future. Drawing on interviews with White House officials, Obama's inner circle, members of Congress, and others, Corn takes the reader into the Oval Office and the back rooms on Capitol Hill for a fast-paced and gripping account of the major events as they unfolded: the controversial tax-cut deal with Congress in December 2010; the repeal of Don't Ask/Don't Tell; the passage of the New START treaty; the near shutdown of the government in early 2011; the revolutionary Arab spring; the killing of Osama bin Laden; the intense, high-wire debt-ceiling negotiations (in which intransigent House Republicans risked the nation's financial standing); House Speaker John Boehner's erratic maneuvers during the rise and fall of the grand bargain; and the face-off between Obama and congressional Republicans over how best to create jobs. Corn captures the dilemmas faced by a president assailed by disappointed progressives and defiantly obstructionist Republicans determined to see his defeat. Here is a chief executive trying to balance the cross-cutting demands of governance and politics while handling unending challenges at home and abroad. The book reveals a thoughtful leader with a cool head who is unafraid to take risks and make tough choices, a steely battler who successfully turned his enemies' obstinacy to his advantage. Obama has often frustrated supporters, but Corn shows how the president, who often puts pragmatism ahead of partisan demands, has craftily operated within a hostile conservative political climate, looking to win the long game, achieve progressive goals, and, ultimately, win reelection. A vivid and powerful account of White House decision-making, Showdown offers a unique and enlightening look at the turbulent American political scene during one of the most consequential moments of the nation's history, and explains the fascinating and complicated leader at the heart of this vortex. The Dramatic Tale Of A Pivotal Period In The Obama Presidency, From The Game-changing 2010 Midterm Elections To The Beginning Of The Critical 2012 Campaign Season--a Tumultuous Time That Tested The President As Never Before And Set The Stage For A Titanic Clash Over The Future Of The Nation. After Barack Obama's First Two Years As President--during Which He Navigated The United States Through Its Severest Economic Crisis Since The Great Depression While Managing Wars In Afghanistan And Iraq--he Was Faced With A Bitterly Divided Nation And An Emboldened Political Opposition Dedicated To Impeding His Presidency. What Followed Was A Year Of Political Crises And Fierce Battles That Would Transform Obama And Profoundly Shape The Terrain For The Next Election. Here, Political Journalist David Corn Chronicles And Examines This Crucial Time In The Obama Presidency And Its Impact On The Nation's Future.--from Publisher Description. Introduction: Bending The Arc -- Before The Shellacking -- The Deal That Worked -- A Complete Win -- A Quiet Victory -- The Strategy -- Leaning Forward -- The Battle Begins -- Leading From Behind The Scenes -- The End Of The Beginning -- Mission Accomplished -- Return Of The Hostage Takers -- The Big Cross -- Obama Unleashed -- The Battle Ahead. David Corn. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The word gifted has never been applied to a kid like Donovan Curtis. It's usually more like Don't try this at home. So when the troublemaker pulls a major prank at his middle school, he thinks he's finally gone too far. But thanks to a mix-up by one of the administrators, instead of getting in trouble, Donovan is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction (ASD), a special program for gifted and talented students. It wasn't exactly what Donovan had intended, but there couldn't be a more perfect hideout for someone like him. That is, if he can manage to fool people whose IQs are above genius level. And that becomes harder and harder as the students and teachers of ASD grow to realize that Donovan may not be good at math or science (or just about anything). But after an ongoing experiment with a live human (sister), an unforgettably dramatic middle-school dance, and the most astonishing come-from-behind robot victory ever, Donovan shows that his gifts might be exactly what the ASD students never knew they needed. (Book Cover) Veteran journalist David Corn—Washington Bureau Chief for Mother Jones magazine and New York Times bestselling author of Hubris (with Michael Isikoff) and The Lies of George W. Bush—now brings us Showdown, the dramatic inside story of Barack Obama’s fight to save his presidency. With Bob Woodward-esque insight and narrative flair, Corn takes readers into the White House and behind the political scenes during the beleaguered president’s pivotal third year, and explores the most earth-shaking events of the Obama presidency—from the game changing 2010 elections to the Arab Spring, the debt ceiling battle with Congressional Republicans, the killing of Osama bin Laden and beyond. Tells the story of a young man who began his life with a loving family. But in his early twenties, David Fitzpatrick became so consumed by mental illness it sent him into a frenzy of cutting himself with razor blades. This title describes the rush this act gave him, the fleeting euphoric high that seemed to fill the spaces in the rest of his life. Based on interviews with senior administration officials and others close to the Oval Office, a political journalist presents a behind-the-scenes look at Obama's third year, documenting and evaluating the crucial decisions of the president