Understanding the Obama movement

Friends and family know that I've been a political junkie for many years. I've read many, many books on politics, esp. those dealing with presidential campaigns and presidents. I find them fascinating. With this in mind, I recently finished an EXCELLENT book that attempts to explain the extreme polarization and hyper-partisanship of contemporary politics. The book is "The Second Civil War: How Extreme Partisanship Has Paralyzed Washington and Polarized America" by Ronald Brownstein.

This is an extremely well written book that provides a historical account of why we have ended up where we are....and why the political masses are so turned off by contemporary politics. As I approached the end of the book, and as the author discussed (in broad strokes) the type of politician that may be necessary to heal the current partisan divide, I couldn't help but see the author setting the stage for understanding the current Barack Obama movement.

This excellent book gives me a better understand on why Obama may be riding a time-sensitive (window of opportunity) political movement.....he has arisen at a time when the political atmosphere is looking for someone with his message. Time will tell.

This is the best book on politics I've read in years