I was at one of my Democratic meetings at the Harris County Democratic Headquarters discussing messaging. One of the members of the messaging team told me that I needed to read the book “The Political Brain: The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation” by Drew Westen. I immediately pulled out my Motorola Xoom and purchased it.
This was one of the most insightful reads I had. The book is a blueprint not only for the Democratic Party but for anyone who has to truthfully convince other people to support policies that are best for them. In our current discourse I am amazed at how many people are easily convinced by those on the right to support policies that negatively affect them.
Based on the analysis provided by Drew Westin, it is all about the narrative and how it is expressed relative to those who one is attempting to convince. He provides actual examples from successful Democrats and unsuccessful Democrats as well as from Republicans that were successful in winning even as their policies did damage to Americans.
This book is a must read for both Democrats and Republicans. Its analytic approach to the human psyche in an easy to read fashion is invaluable.