The Truth (with jokes)
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| The Truth (with jokes) | |
| Author | Al Franken |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject(s) | 2004 presidential election |
| Genre(s) | Political satire |
| Publisher | Dutton |
| Publication date | 2005 |
| Media type | Hardcover/paperback |
| Preceded by | 'Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right' |
The Truth (with jokes) is a book of political satire and humor by Al Franken, released in October 2005. The book's main focus is on the 2004 presidential election and Franken's research into the Republicans' strategy in their victory.
Contents |
[edit] Fear, Smear, and Queers
In the book, Franken looks at what he calls "fear, smear, and queers," or the Republican strategy used to win the reelection of George W. Bush. As in his previous work, Franken relies on direct quotes from Republicans to back up his research.
[edit] Fear
Franken uses several quotes from throughout the 2004 campaign to highlight the use of fear. In several instances campaigners heavily relied on the events of 9/11 to paint President Bush as a strong military leader and John Kerry as a waffler. Franken counters with direct quotes from the 9/11 Commission that show Bush ignored or overlooked several key pieces of intelligence from the CIA that, if acted upon, could have prevented the attacks altogether.
Franken also wrote that Bill Clinton received similar intelligence regarding potential attacks on January 1, 2000 and was able to quickly raise the security level and prevent any terrorist activity.
[edit] Smear
Franken addresses the accusations of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth group that alleged during the 2004 election that John Kerry's medals for valor were actually based on an act of cowardice. The incident, involving Kerry's killing of a Vietcong soldier, was not witnessed by any of the group's members. Moreover, the group dubiously claimed that Kerry shot a potentially unarmed and wounded teenager in the back while attempting to escape.
Franken states, using the testimony of the soldiers who were actually there, that Kerry's original version is the correct version. Franken also quotes a Ted Koppel story from 2004 when Koppel went to Vietnam and actually spoke with the commander of the Vietcong attack, who verified the man killed by Kerry was an adult, and military records that show the man was in possession of a grenade launcher.
[edit] Gay Marriage Issue
The book describes ways in which gay marriage was used as a wedge issue to break off certain voters who would have otherwise supported Kerry. It argues that Republicans relied on misrepresenting Kerry's position by saying and implying he is in favor of gay marriage. Franken lays out John Kerry's exact stance on gay marriage: he's against it but agrees with civil unions. While Franken disagrees with this view, he says that Kerry has spoken on the record with the same opinion since at least 1996.
Franken shows photos of protesters and pamphlets in red states and swing states that say "Support Gay Marriage, Vote John Kerry." Franken implies that these protesters were employed by Republicans trying to sway voters by using the controversial issue of gay marriage.
[edit] Style
Like Franken's other books, this one relies on his comedy writing background.
