We're Right, They're Wrong: A Handbook for Spirited Progressives

by James Carville

The campaign strategist for the election of Bill Clinton provides an entertaining and timely response to the Republicans' "Contract with America," defending a strong government and its social role and providing a definitive program for strengthening America. Original. 150,000 first printing. Tour.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Humor

183 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 1996

About the author

James Carville is an former U.S. Marine, political consultant, commentator, actor, media personality and pundit. Known as "the Ragin' Cajun," Carville gained national attention for his work as the lead strategist of the successful presidential campaign of then-Arkansas governor Bill Clinton. Carville was the co-host of CNN's Crossfire until its final broadcast in June 2005. Since its cancellation, he has appeared on CNN's news program, The Situation Room. As of 2006, he hosts a weekly program on XM Radio titled 60/20 Sports with Luke Russert, son of NBC's Tim Russert. He is married to Republican political consultant Mary Matalin.

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was published in 1996. That's 17 years ago for those of you who may be bad at basic math skills. Why is this important? Because in those 17 years, not a damn thing has changed. Ok, so we're moved beyond Limp Bizkit and The Offspring (well, must of us have) but when it comes to the difference between right and left wingers, Democrats and Republicans, talking points about how big and bad Federal Government is? The change amounts to zero. Zip. Nada.

Even the names are the same of our dear conservative friends. In the first five pages, Carville names his "Top 5 Ridiculous and Pathetic Republicans." Who are they?
1. Fred Heineman
2. Newt Gingrich
3. Rick Santorum
4. Lamar Alexander
5. Michael Huffington

Any of these sound familiar? They should. Newt and ol' Sweatervest Santorum ran for president.

In 2012. This list was from 1996. Grand ol' party, indeed!

In all seriousness, we're not far from many of the things highlighted in this book. Some of the major progress made during the Clinton administration was quickly undone under GWB, the same way so many of the good things Obama has done are trying to be destroyed by the same Republican Party. I mean...37 votes in the House (to date) to repeal the Affordable Care Act? This is the crap we're dealing with. These people are perfectly fine giving a giant middle finger to anyone who is not white, rich, male or any combination thereof.

Good read overall. Lots of good info, most of which is still relevant today. That's just sad.

[Marty Greenwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in the mid 1990's, this shows that liberal and Democratic party issues aren't that much different today. This was written to energize progressives, not as a learning device. I think James Carville writes in a funny, no BS way. Easy read

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

my uncle made me read it...

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one fourth of July many years ago; great timing--it really clarified for me the very real case the Liberal has as being a SUPERIOR PATRIOT to the ineffective government, pro-business-at-the-expense-of-the-citizen, anti-environmental, and working-class-hostile mentality of the Right.

A significant work, Carville cites a few programs I, personally, benefitted from as a child (school lunch programs came from federal grants), while my own family by and large rabidly followed Reagan, who's deep thinkers asserted that Ketchup was a vegetable. The phrase "ungrateful" doesn't do justice to these poor peasants, voting Republican and voting to their own detriment.

An excellent, important read; as much a shot of patriotic adrenalin to Liberals as a sobering espresso to the anti-federal conservative who wishes to delude himself into thinking he motivates from love of country.

[Ken · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written back when Carville appeared to have a soul.

This is actually a fairly good book on how to argue with your republican friends and neighbors. I was actually looking for Al Frankens "Rush limbaugh is a big fat idiot" when I found it and was probably the better informed (and the much, much less entertained) for it.

I sometimes wonder if the Clintons had read this book more closely if we would have been in better shape. Hell, I wonder if Carville had read this thing in the last ten years if he would have given better advice.

For the reasons where I suspect him of being disingenuous I have to give this thing a two.

[Bruinrefugee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just confirms my generally low opinion of political hacks. It's a light, breezy read back in the bad old days of '96 (tongue in cheek). Where I learned that the Anti-Federalist Thomas Jefferson was a fan of a powerful central government. Who knew? While there's an interesting critique or two, it's almost ironic how "evil" the other side is for cutting govt. while he repeatedly brags of slashing 200,000 federal jobs. The stuff about budget deficits is downright cute in light of later developments. I have to wonder how he reconciles his worldview with Bobby Jindal as Louisiana's governor.

[Bernadette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I probably would have enjoyed this more when it was first published. Unfortunately, most of Carville's essays are dated. His points on welfare, education and immigration are still relevant, so the book does still have some value.

[Namfan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book if you want to educate yourself about what the left is doing, why they're doing it, and what they hope to accomplish.

Carville is entertaining and he tells it the way that he sees it.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was written in 1996, but the arguments that Carville uses to describe how the government does a good job providing needed support for people that would not be provided in a pure free economy. Worth the read. It'd be nice if Carville wrote an updated version.

[Will Byrnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carville provides a host of answers to Republican untruths, and throws in a few recipes. The value of Carville is to provide talking points for Dems who are faced with right-wingers blowing gas based on lies.

[Cinda]

Reading this was like deja vu. It seemed oddly prophetic. The book is not new, but the issues are so much the same. Enforced my gut feelings that we are indeed right, and they are undoubtedly (and unapologetically) wrong!

[Pricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this tremendously. He is realistic about the world we operate in, as well as an able defender of logic, truth and numbers.

It's not easy being left. At least with Carville, you can untwist the corkscrew of revisions.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is now most interesting as a reminder of where things stood at the time. Still, insightful and well written enough for a 4, even though the folksy jokes work far better on tv than in a book.

[Amy Wolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I was in the mood for something a little more light-hearted, but Carville really reaches for the facts & figures to prove his points here. He is an excellent debater & I absolutely agree with his conclusions -- just wish that the numbers had been used a little more sparringly.

[D. Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have ever read...period.

[Doug Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and spot on!

[Drew- Pickleball Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good how to book for progressives. Too bad they didn't listen (see elections of 2000 and 2004). It was fun riding with the ragin' cajun!

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ragin' cajun's got it right.

[Kirk Bower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carville's books are great. Funny...indepth...funny... straight shooting... funny.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used to like The Cajun a lot more before he married that woman. Once he did that, I started to question his sincerity. Book was good at the time though I'm not sure he's kept up.

[Aimie Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, LOVE this book!

[Brady Dale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was nuts about this book in college... even got mine signed by the big guy. Not sure where it is now, though.

[Maureen Twomey · Rating 3 out of 5]

(read it in 1997)

[Dorothy Caimano · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world in 1996. Spookily predictive of the future, this short book is full of facts and reflections, presented in Carville's humorous and entertaining style. An excellent look in the rearview mirror.

[Rob Lewan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how informative this book is. It’s very old but a lot still is true. It’s from the 90s so I was going to give it 3 stars but considering how old it is and how well the author put it together it got 4 stars from me

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of a fossil. It's fun to go back and remind yourself that even though it feels like politics has been getting more vitriolic and tribal, those problems existed before and will exist again.

[Matthew Burgess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed from a friend when I saw it on their book shelf. I find James Carville entertaining, even though I don’t usually agree with him. He is more entertaining speaking than writing. I find him to be more honest than most political speakers, more calling it like he sees it, vs spinning.

[Will Atkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

At this point, most of what is in the book is outdated. Wouldn’t recommend.

[Sandor Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible writing

[jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Democrats need to stop hating themselves and stand up.