You're Fired: The Perfect Guide to Beating Donald Trump

by Paul Begala

Donald Trump became famous bellowing, “You’re fired!” on TV in a make-believe boardroom. Now, millions of Americans want to yell it right back at him—but Trump has seemed to almost defy the laws of political physics. Paul Begala, one of America’s greatest political talents, lays out the strategy that will defeat Trump and send him and his industrial-strength spray-on tan machine back to Mar-a-Lago.In You’re Fired, Paul Begala tells us how Trump uses division to distract from the actual reality of his record. Distraction, he argues, is Trump’s superpower. And this book is Kryptonite. In it, the man who helped elect Bill Clinton and reelect Barack Obama, —The special weapons and tactics needed in the unconventional war against this most unconventional politician —How to drive a wedge—or, rather, a pickup truck—between Trump and many of his supporters, especially blue-collar workers and farmers —Where the votes to defeat Trump will come from, and how the Rising American Electorate can catch Trump flat-footed —How Democrats can run on issues ranging from Coronavirus and healthcare to the economy, as well as climate change and Trump’s long-term plan to dominate the federal judiciary —There is one chapter called simply, “This Chapter Will Beat Trump.” Find out why Begala is so confident and what issue he says will sink the Trumptanic Full of memorable advice and Begala’s trademark wit, You’re Fired focuses on the lessons we can learn from the party’s successes and failures—and the crucial tools Democrats need to beat Trump.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 2020

About the author

Paul Begala is a political consultant, a commentator, a prominent liberal, and a former advisor to President Bill Clinton. He gained national prominence as half of the political consulting team Carville and Begala. Until June 2005, Begala was a co-host of CNN's political debate program, Crossfire. He is Research Professor of Public Policy at Georgetown University Public Policy Institute. Currently he is teaching at the University of Georgia School of Law as a Sanders Political Leadership Scholar.

Reviews

[Elizabeth George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ignore the stars; read the review. Three stars means I liked the book, and I did. It's very readable. A little too chatty for my taste but otherwise very informative. The author worked for Bill Clinton during his election, his re-election, and his Presidency, and he's no slouch when it comes to the politics of the Presidency and of elections. Begala presents myriad ideas in the book, most of them referring to his main topic of defeating Trump in November, but he also includes a lot of information concerning Trump's promises, how he kept or did not keep those promises, and what the effects might be should he be elected to another term. I think it's well-worth reading, especially if you would like to see Trump defeated in November 2020. I found it eye-opening and worthwhile.

[Shari Suarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A witty, easy to understand guide to how to defeat Trump in the November election. Each chapter describes a situation that has occurred under Trump's presidency in detail with the strategy that Democrats should use to combat each situation. It even includes Covid-19 and the Trump response.

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making political ideas matter to voters

Famed Democratic strategist, Paul Begala’s, newest book is a common sense guide to defeating Republican Donald Trump in 2020. No stranger to presidential elections or policies serving Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton, Begala knows politics. In his depths of despair over Hillary’s 2016 defeat, he hit upon the key reason for that loss. Democrats focused too much in Trump’s outrageous personality — his lies, his transgressions, and crude yet purposely provocative remarks. Instead Democrats should have focused on the ideas that mattered most in the election and — here is the key — how those ideas matter most to the voter. While voters may not care for a candidate’s personality, it’s really the ideas and what they mean to us as voters that matter the most. We may not like what we see the Republican Party doing, but accusations and name-calling isn’t going to convince anyone who is undecided to come over to the Democrats side, no more that it convinces Democrats to go to the Republicans. Begala asserts that the Democrats will gain more through showing how their ideas positively impacts the voters’ lives for the better.

One area that was simply amazing in this book is how Begala outlined what is so terribly wrong with Trump’s love affair with dictators, especially Russian President Vladimir Putin. He gives 19 reasons that show how Trump is the most un-American President ever by caving in to Putin’s best interests each time. I have read many books on Trump’s presidency, and no where have I read such a succinct explanation of why Trump’s actions are so troubling by being blatantly pro-Russian while dragging down the US. It’s truly troubling to say the least to see such un-American actions knowingly perpetrated by an American President.

Begala is a down to earth strategist. His ideas are accessible, and he’s a genuinely funny guy. My biggest critique of this book is that Begala sometimes forgot his own advice about name calling. He made plays throughout the book on Donald Trump’s middle initial (“J”). At times it was a bit too over-the-top. While this book clearly wasn’t meant to appeal to Republicans, Begala’s plays on Trump’s name did serve as a slight turn off at times, as they went too far in attempting humor. It’s little different than Trump’s ugly nicknames for his opponents, which are intentionally offensive, except Trump own name plays are far more obnoxious and cruel. Finally, I wish this book came out sooner than March 2020. Since I only just discovered it and read it among the many books on contemporary politics, only one month before the election, it’s hard for me or any reader to put his ideas into action for this upcoming general election. However, it does provide a path forward in post general election times, so it’s well-worth the read to the committed Democratic activist.

[Dale Edgerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on all that Trump has destroyed in his nearly four years in office. Paul Begala has always been a favorite of mine. His face has always made me happy, his reporting is excellent. This book both scares me and makes me laugh. Scares me about thinking what we'll be up against if Trump through his cheating wins the 2020 election. Begala's humor that is laced throughout, makes me laugh out loud.

It would not have taking me so long to finish it. I started reading this the day I got it. Then the fire destroyed everything and I had to order it again.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many good points, but more of an extended blog post than a standalone book. Well-meaning but too repetitive. I just don’t think there’s enough unique and fully realized narrative to warrant the time commitment of these pages, even to a true believer who agrees with everything here.

[Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told with some much needed humor Begala lays out a number (there's too many to include all) of Trump's lies, misdeeds and illegal, embarrassing acts in a well written manner. It's not a Trump bashing tome, but rather a detailed explanation of what Trump has done to our country with sound advice on how to fix the problems he has created....starting with voting in November to oust him. Begala brings to the table his own history working for the White House as well as his skill at teaching. In a time when we need to laugh a little bit his self-deprecating humor as well as quips in general give you a moment to sit there and at least smile. Yes, they are things that we should worry about, but sometimes you just need to take a breath, chuckle at something and then settle down to fix what's broken. This is definitely one to add to your TBR and move to the top.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read. If what Paul says is true about Trump, then America will be even more screwed then it already is.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is a bit flippant and not a little miffed by the Trump presidency, and understandably so. Anyone running against Trump could probably win using Begala's recommendations. First and foremost, focus on the voters, not on Trump's character. Let people know how much his behavior and his actions hurt them. Trump learned from Putin how to use propaganda to his advantage. Fear and lies are all he has to work with. The way to combat fear is with facts. Every one of Trump's ads focuses on tearing down Biden's character with fear and lies. For someone who ran his 2016 campaign on being a non-politician, he is more steeped in partisan politics than any candidate in history. He attacks the "elite" without admitting that he is part of that class, that privileged 1%. It's frightening to see how he admires and emulates dictators past and present. Democracy is on the ballot this year.

[Charlie]

The playbook

An admirable playbook for how normal Americans can take down T%&$p and the rest of the GOP. For they are evil.

[Scalacpa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always like to hear from Paul Begala. He understands politics and comes up with clear views, perceptions and solutions. I wish more politicians would listen to him. In this book, he outlines the disaster of the Trump year's. He discusses the wrong decisions the Democrats made in the 2016 elections. He outlines how they can win in 2020. This book was written before Trump's disastrous debate, prior to him contracting covid, his even nuttier behavior since his infections and taking the cocktail of steriods, his continued denial of covid being a national health and economic problem for which the government should have a plan to overcome. As we know the current plan of the covid in chief is to stick his head in the sand or scream conspiracy theories. After all this has worked in the past.
This book was written when it appeared that covid in chief was the favored candidate.
I like the section where he advises the Democrats to reach out to Conservatives, I like the section where he advises the Democrats to demand accountability.
When covid in chief(CIC) rants about the corona virus hoax, the Democrats need to point out the CIC complicity in the escalation of the pandemic due to his incompetence, dishonesty, firings, and budget cuts.
Trumps conflicts of interest. Begals says: His conflicts of interest are varied and vast. But if you look at it another way, there is really no conflict of interest. With DT, his only interest is DT. No conflict. DT is first and America last.
Begala says: DT is the Everest of selfishness. Martin Luther King said; " I believe that what self centered men have torn down, other-centered men can build up." Let's pray for this outcome.
I like Begala's suggestions for the Democrats to invest in the American Corps and Peace Corp. Have citizens invest their time in these programs to earn the forgiveness of student loans and other benefits. Have the people earn the benefits. He says that DT believes a world with a wealthy heir wins the genetic lottery and inherits millions tax free. He wants a world of entitlement for the few; the Democrats want a nation of opportunity for all.

[EMMANUEL · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't like this book. What bothered me was that it's so opinion based. Also, there is so much rambling. The ramble has no revolving focus, other than just ranting of how much the author dislikes, disagrees, and in summary... hates Donald Trump.

What is retarded, is that, it is obvious that this person is completely brainwashed by the facalited journalism that generated the image and ideology of Donald Trump Sr. All his "rage, hate, and disagreement" has no actual foundation or weighted significance that validates why he doesn't favor Donald Trump.

It's incomprehensible of where this hate generated from. It's so politically fabricated. The author is clearly a product of the GOvernment's facalited political objective for Donald Trump's Stage Identity. It's very surprising how someone can really be passionate... so passionate, to hate someone he doesn't know, but most importantly publicly put out his unfavorable stance of the President (remind you... the President), without any weighted context that justifies his hate towards the President.

The author capitalized on finding all negative factors about the Presidency, without even obtaining clarity of those factors. Clarity entailing, why those factors obtained the verdict in which it was decided as certain. Basically, there's no foundation of evidence and valid supporting facts, that justifies this person's hate.

The Author just literally appears to be stating all the negative factors of Donald's presidency, without any clarity in regards to what he is ranting in hate about.

I never read something so disgustingly hateful in my life. It's like, this person put himself in the position of being "supreme ruler" and "political specialist". Terrible approach to write this book.

The topic is great, which is why I picked it up. But the way it was written, "damn, he makes religion look good. That says a lot." Also, he did have religious accounts in here... which, was extremely bias.

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came into this as a left-leaning centrist in a rural area that would be more than happy to see Trump go. While the advice and analysis is generally good, Begalia's bias was obvious and a bit of a turnoff for someone as moderate as me. He occasionally makes statements that cannot be backed up, and I honestly question if there is actual logic in these statements or whether it is a figment of his partisan imagination. For example, he claims AOC is getting attacked by the GOP because "she and Abby Finkenauer are the youngest women ever elected to congress" (Chapter 4, page 46). There is no shred of evidence to corroborate or support this assessment, and I speculate it is actually because her policies are seen by them as far-left and potentially destructive (think, for example, of the Green New Deal's federal jobs guarantee and policies where people simply unwilling to work will get paid. Boy, if I could quit my job and still get paid indefinitely I totally would. I think most of us would. If I got bored or wanted to regain purpose in life, job be damned, they don't own me, screw them, I'll volunteer somewhere. But guess who's not volunteering to take my trash, or do pest control, janitorial tasks, etc.? Literally everyone.).

And he said the worst day of his life was the day Trump won the election. Now, I'm 26 and I've had near death experiences, health scares, bad car accidents, deaths in the family, and the suicide of a friend. If the 2016 election was the worst day of his life, more traumatic than things that actually directly and personally affected him, then in my opinion he is unhealthfully invested in politics and needs a serious paradigm shift.

I don't want to completely rip this book apart, though, because some of the analysis is well done. S0 3/5.

[Al Lock · Rating 1 out of 5]

Even given the political climate it was written in, and the author's position of this being a guide for the Democrats to beat Donald Trump (not anyone else), this book is tremendously flawed. It makes a few good points (don't let the election be about Trump) which it then proceeds to ignore (and which the Democrats and Biden also ignored). It also does zero examination of the Democratic platform and fails entirely to see why Hillary lost in the race between those who hated both Trump and Hillary Clinton. The Hillary Clinton worship oozes from this book. Fundamentally, the author is demonstrating why they shouldn't be hired as a strategist.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

If anyone wants the definitive guide to who and what Donald Trump really is, this book is it. For any Trump cultist who truly believes Trump is helping or has helped them instead of himself, is pure nonsense. But, then again, people put their faith and beliefs in other gods and cons so I guess it is just a human condition that only some are able to break from.

History will find all of the things from Mr. Begala's book to be who Trump is and maybe future humans will think before getting conned in the future.

[George Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roadmap to Victory in 2020

Paul Begala offers much sage advice for readers who are frustrated with the present state of affairs in our nation. A larger voter turnout, women, and the unifying influence of volunteering just might heal a badly divided country. Attacking the present administration is probably counterproductive and ill-advised. Much needed change is needed to live up to the principles which have made our country the beacon of hope for so many.

[Hon. Peter J. Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Insight Into The Incompetent Trump Administration

In this book Paul Begala. tells the truth unlike the "leader" of the Trump Administration. And he does it with foot noted accuracy and wit. An excellent read for our troubled times

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this audiobook to be quite witty and I loved that it was read by the author. The topics are on point and states out loud all that we have been thinking for the past four years. Recommended.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good compendium for Democrats and a list of warnings for republicans. The book contains a bunch of snarky comments. An easy read, maybe a bit long.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read, the main message is Democrat’s have a path to winning but have to take it.

[Hana Faber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for form (good enough to gloss over the odd - quite natural considering the writer and the topic - hyperpartisan digression).

[Ken Poyner]

FOund an umber of facts of which I was not aware. Obviously, the book was anti-Trump, but made a good case against Trump. Provided a strategy for defeating Trump.

[Barbpie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good information imparted with wit and charm; I LOLed many times while reading. The level of corruption in the tRump administration is off the charts.

[Ann Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am literally begging people to read this book. A master political strategist, Mr. Begala lays out clear and concise advice on how regular folks can help restore sanity to the country.

[Stephanie Freyaldenhoven · Rating 5 out of 5]

The playbook for victory

The author had miles of experience with many candidates and experience in buckets. Read, enjoy and learn. Full of laughs as well.

[Sam Purdie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our electricity is going to be turned off soon to "prevent wildfires." I will post a review when we are turned back on next Tuesday.

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t bother finishing. Nothing new or insightful. It’s all been reported in the news.

[Barbara Luiselli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook format. I really like the writer and how he reads. The material is interesting. Sometime he gets repetitive.

[Dawna Kaulen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good information about the inner workings of campaigns and elections and a guide to how to counter some of the more nefarious tactics. A good civics lesson as well. Worth the read.