Two Former Congressmen Present The Keys To Fixing A Broken Congress In New Book

CAMPBELL, Calif., Jan. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ Premiere/FastPencil (a publishing imprint distributed by Dover Publications) announces the release of The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis, a powerful and important new work by two former congressional leaders, one Democratic and one Republican.

While the authors, Martin Frost and Tom Davis, share many common viewpoints, they come from opposite sides of the political spectrum. Tom Davis served in Congress from 1994 to 2008 representing Virginia's 11th district. During that time, he chaired the National Republican Congressional Committee for two cycles (2000 and 2002), and was chairman of the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight before retiring, as he likes to say, "undefeated and unindicted" in 2008. Martin Frost represented the DallasFt. Worth area in North Texas in Congress for 26 years, serving four years as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and four years as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus. Now, with The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis, they have joined forces along with Richard Cohen, noted author and reporter on Congress for National Journal, Politico, and Congressional Quarterly in an effort to save Congress from itself.

According to Mr. Frost and Mr. Davis, Congress is incapable of reforming itself without a good kick in the seat from the American public. In fact, the institution's approval rating dropped to 7% in the summer of 2014. Frost and Davis, with great insight and skill, along with a wealth of entertaining anecdotes and photos, dissect the causes of legislative gridlock and offer a common sense, bipartisan plan for making our Congress function again. The Preface by Pulitzer Prize finalist David Eisenhower, grandson of general and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, sets the stage for this powerful behind-the-scenes narrative that uncovers the road to the present political gridlock and then offers thought-provoking insights and possibilities for the way out.

"Neither one of us is a political scientist, though we were practitioners and observers of national politics during our combined 40 years in Congress," the authors note. "We were both political moderates a disappearing breed in both political parties. Each of us also headed our party's House campaign committee. In another time, either or both of us might have become Speaker of the House. But our parties moved away from us, Tom's to the right and Martin's to the left."

Mr. Frost and Mr. Davis add that in effect "The president's party in Congress has become simply an appendage of the executive branch, rarely exercising its constitutional checks and balances on its president. The 'out' party responds by reflexively opposing presidential initiatives. A couple of decades ago, the congressional wing of the 'out' party would act like a minority partner and have a voice in shaping, molding, and sometimes tamping down presidential initiatives. Today's climate, barring strong public opinion to the contrary, turns the 'out' party into straight-out opposition."

This essential and engrossing book offers recommendations for such key issues as gerrymandering, redistricting, campaign finance reform, federal deficits, and the plausibility of holding "jungle primaries" before national primaries.

The perfect tonic for these turbulent times, The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis is a fascinating must-read for the historically and politically curious. And, according to the authors, "It is also written for young people high school and college students who are studying the American system of government and who plan to participate in the political process someday, either as candidates or just as informed voters."

A major media campaign is already in place for The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis, with numerous events taking place at presidential libraries, universities, and other notable institutions. There will be a special book launch at the National Press Club on January 13, 2015, hosted by Mark Shields, with the three authors attending. Others will take place at the National Archives in Washington DC (1/21), Tufts University (2/10), and the Ronald Reagan Library (2/12). The authors will also be appearing on FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace (1/11), Morning Joe on MSNBC (1/12), the PBS Newshour (1/12), and more. Segments on NBC's Meet the Press and HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher will be confirmed shortly. An aggressive social media campaign is also planned.

Critical Acclaim for The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis:
"Martin Frost and Tom Davis are uniquely qualified to examine how constant conflict in Washington keeps too many good things from happening."- President Bill Clinton

"Drawing on their experience as Congressional leaders and campaign chairs for their respected parties, this is a must read for the politically curious."
- Rep. Darrell Issa, Chairman of House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (R, CA)

"Frost and Davis have come together to present thought-provoking ideas and insights from four decades of collective experience in Congress. In their powerful insiders' account of the road into political gridlock, readers will find both the full extent of the problem and new possibilities for a way out."
- Rep. Nancy Pelosi, 60th Speaker of the House (D, CA)

"No living journalist knows and understands Capitol Hill as intimately as [Richard] Cohen."
- Charlie Cook, National Journal

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150105/167091

SOURCE Dover Publications, Inc.

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