Politics and the movies are a match made in heaven! Movies need compelling characters, suspenseful plots, unexpected twists, and a great conclusion. Politics provides all the above and then some! In this remarkable new presentation, Best Movies About Politics, I’ll present my admittedly idiosyncratic list of the best films ever made about American politics. Some are dramas, and some are comedies. Some are old classics, and some are very modern. Some are well-known, critically acclaimed Hollywood films and others are amazing but obscure!

Best Movies About Politics

This fun, fascinating, and fast-moving presentation is one of my favorites, combining my love of great cinema with a lifelong fascination with elections. And where else will you find a list that plausibly contains Henry Fonda, Eddie Murphy, Kirk Douglas, George Clooney, and Jimmy Stewart? From directors Frank Capra and Preston Sturges to Rob Reiner and screenwriters Aaron Sorkin to Rod Serling, some of the most incredible talent in movie history have tackled the subject of elections in films that are entertaining, thought-provoking, and often unforgettable. We will look at clips from some of them and consider others!

Of course, we will leave time for discussion and your choices. Let’s see what everyone else chooses as the best movies about politics!

The program starts at 1 pm Central – 2 p. m. Eastern

CLICK HERE FOR FREE REGISTRATION

The post Best Movies About Politics appeared first on Speaking For A Change.

Game Change tells three main stories that shaped the 2008 election. The first is John McCain’s decision to select Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate. The authors delve into the hurried vetting process and the unexpected challenges that followed Palin’s entrance into the national spotlight. They present a balanced view, acknowledging the internal conflicts her candidacy created while also highlighting Palin’s strengths, such as her powerful speech at the Republican National Convention and her ability to connect with voters on the campaign trail. The portrayal of McCain is equally nuanced, showing him as a courageous figure who stood up to supporters attempting to vilify Barack Obama, dispelling rumors that Obama was a Muslim or a terrorist.

The second major storyline covers Hillary Clinton’s battle for the Democratic nomination. Despite being the early frontrunner, Clinton’s campaign stumbled, and Game Change provides a deeply personal look at the frustrations, challenges, and near-miss of her historic bid for the presidency. Heilemann and Halperin capture both the tension within her campaign and the emotional toll of losing the nomination, painting a sympathetic yet realistic portrait of Clinton’s journey.

The third story chronicles Barack Obama’s rise, focusing on the excitement and challenges of his groundbreaking campaign. Obama’s ability to inspire a nation yearning for change is a central theme, but the book also explores the complexities of his campaign and the doubts surrounding his experience. The authors balance admiration with objectivity, making Obama’s story compelling for both political enthusiasts and casual readers alike.

The personal stories in Game Change are what truly set it apart. The authors’ even-handed approach is evident in their portrayal of not only McCain’s courage but also in their exploration of the dynamics between key campaign players like Steve Schmidt and Nicolle Wallace and their reaction to Sarah Palin. This balanced narrative is one of the reasons why Game Change was so well-received, with critics praising it for its fairness and depth. The book’s gripping storytelling and insider insights led to its adaptation into an acclaimed HBO movie in 2012. It earned critical praise and several awards, including Golden Globes and Emmys for performances by Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin and Ed Harris as John McCain.

Critically, Game Change was lauded for its ability to pull back the curtain on political campaigns, offering readers a candid and insightful view of the personalities and decisions that shape elections. Reviewers commended the book for being both informative and highly readable, and its even-handed treatment of figures across the political spectrum was seen as a major strength. The combination of insider access, sharp analysis, and human drama makes Game Change an engaging and informative read.

While The Making of the President 1960 set the standard for election books, Game Change surpasses it in terms of accessibility and depth, especially for modern readers. Its mix of historical perspective, personal stories, and fair treatment of all its subjects makes it my favorite book about elections and a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the forces that shape American politics. With his keen sense of history and deep understanding of elections, I believe that even Theodore White would have enjoyed Game Change for its rich narrative and insightful analysis.

Postscript:
While Game Change remains an enormously influential and well-regarded book, it’s important to note that co-author Mark Halperin is no longer as prominent figure in journalism due to allegations of sexual misconduct that surfaced in 2017. Although these events have understandably affected his career, they do not detract from the significant work he contributed to Game Change, which continues to stand as a respected account of the 2008 election.

Heilemann expressed deep shock and disbelief after learning about the sexual harassment allegations against Mark Halperin. In an interview, Heilemann said he was “flabbergasted and shocked,” noting that he had no prior knowledge or suspicion of Halperin’s inappropriate behavior. He clarified that he had never witnessed or heard anything about such conduct during their long partnership. The scandal led to the end of their collaboration, with several joint projects, including a book deal and a TV miniseries, being canceled as a result​.

The post Game Change The Best Book About Elections appeared first on Speaking For A Change.

If the election of 2008 had been written as a movie script, it could not have been more exciting. We faced the possibility that we would elect the first woman to the presidency, the first African-American to the presidency, or perhaps one of America’s greatest war heroes to the presidency. The nomination battles were thrilling, the personalities were oversized, and just when it couldn’t seem to get any more fascinating, Sen. John McCain chose obscure Alaska  Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate!

In this insightful, nonpartisan multimedia presentation, you will learn about the backgrounds of each of the campaigns and candidates in the election of 2008. You’ll learn the very different election strategies that each pursued. We will look at the role of technology, social media, race, television, and the debates as factors in deciding an election like no other. The election of 2008 provides us a fascinating glimpse into the future of campaigning.  

We’ll see how social media and voter tracking began to replace conventional television advertising as a means of motivating voters.  This effort led to long lines of voters across the country. We’ll also examine how one party began to utilize restrictive voting laws as a desperate means to try and ensure victory through voter suppression.

The career politician and war hero against a candidate with a painfully thin resume; a vice-presidential candidate with a penchant for gaffes versus one seemingly in way over her head.  This presentation on the election of 2008 is not to be missed.

The post Understanding The Election Of 2008 appeared first on Speaking For A Change.

The Best Losing Presidential Candidates

What do Adlai Stevenson, George McGovern, Daniel Webster, and Wendell Willkie have in common?

Each ran for President and lost. In some cases, more than once!

And each was an outstanding man who might well have made a great President.

In this unique multimedia presentation, I will share my list of the ten best men to run for President and lose.  I’ll offer fascinating glimpses into the men, the times, and the campaigns.

We will explore why each man failed in his bid and speculate on the different directions our country might have taken had the election been decided differently.  For instance, how would America have responded on the morning of 9-11 if Al Gore had been President? Or if Wendell Willkie had been President on Pearl Harbor Day?  It’s fun to think about and debate!

The post The Best Losing Presidential Candidates appeared first on Speaking For A Change.

Politics and the movies are a match made in heaven! Movies need compelling characters, suspenseful plots, unexpected twists, and a  great conclusion. Politics provides all the above and then some! In this remarkable new presentation, Best Movies About Politics, I’ll present my admittedly idiosyncratic list of the best films ever made about American politics. Some are dramas, and some are comedies. Some are old classics, and some are very modern. Some are well-known, critically acclaimed Hollywood films, and others are amazing but obscure!

Best Movies About Politics

This fun, fascinating, and fast-moving presentation is one of my favorites, combining my love of great cinema with a lifelong fascination with elections. And where else will you find a list that plausibly contains Henry Fonda, Eddie Murphy, Kirk Douglas, George Clooney, and Jimmy Stewart? From directors Frank Capra and Preston Sturges to Rob Reiner and screenwriters Aaron Sorkin to Rod Serling, some of the most incredible talent in movie history have tackled the subject of elections in films that are entertaining, thought-provoking, and often unforgettable. We will look at clips from some of them and consider others!

Of course, we will leave time for discussion and your choices. Let’s see what everyone else chooses as the best movies about politics!

BONUS!

Click here to read about one of the films – I’ll bet this is a new one for you!

The post Best Movies About Politics appeared first on Speaking For A Change.