Sirotablog

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact for review copies/author interview: Melanie DeNardo or Dave McAlpin (info below)

NEW YORK - On May 4th and 5th, author, political strategist and former Capitol Hill operative David Sirota will be in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area launching his controversial new book at major events with Al Franken, the JOBS NOW Coalition and Wellstone Action (details below). The book is entitled “HOSTILE TAKEOVER: How Big Money & Corruption Conquered Our Government – And How We Take It Back” and is being released by Crown Publishers (publication date: 5/9/06). It is the first and only book in the aftermath of recent major scandals that aggressively tackles corruption — and both parties’ complicity in it. As former Vice President Al Gore said of “Hostile Takeover”: “Every politically engaged citizen should read this book.”

Pulling no punches and naming names, Sirota takes readers on a journey analyzing the darkest lies, myths, and half-truths perpetuated by Big Money interests and peddled by corrupt politicians. He also details the courageous efforts by a handful of political leaders of both parties who have fought this hostile takeover of our government. That includes a detailed passage on Minnesota Sen. Paul Wellstone, who Sirota personally worked with during his time as a top aide for one of Wellstone’s closest allies in the House, Independent Rep. Bernard Sanders of Vermont. Helping Sirota launch his book at various stops along his 15-city national tour in May will be political luminaries such as Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, syndicated columnist Molly Ivins and director Robert Greenwald.

In a 2003 profile, Newsweek labeled Sirota a “young, fierce” voice who “fills the gap left by a timid Democratic establishment” – and Sirota draws on his diverse experience to make sure the book lives up to that reputation. Sirota, who now works out of Helena, Montana, was a top aide to Schweitzer in Schweitzer’s successful 2004 run to become Montana’s first Democratic governor in 16 years. Before that, Sirota was an operative on Capitol Hill first as spokesman for Independent Rep. Bernie Sanders and then as spokesman for Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee – the committee at the center of major criminal investigations, including the Jack Abramoff scandal and the Rep. Duke Cunningham bribery case (for more, see bio info below).

Using both wit and personal anecdote, Sirota expertly details how government today deliberately refuses to protect citizens from a soulless, greedy corporate oligarchy. Exposing Republicans and Democrats alike, Sirota shows how Big Money interests own our government and control the rhetoric that comes out of politicians’ mouths. The result is a grossly distorted political debate that hides the real solutions to America’s problems.

CONTACT INFO

For interview requests, advance media bookings, review copies or more information, please contact Melanie DeNardo at (212) 940-7866 or mdenardo@randomhouse.com; or Dave McAlpin at (406) 880-7521 or press@davidsirota.com

TWIN CITIES EVENT INFO

May 4, 2:30pm to 5:00pm: Book signing and Sirota keynote speech at the JOBS NOW annual meeting; Location: Lakes and Plains Regional Council of Carpenters and Joiners, Auditorium Hall, 700 Olive Street, St. Paul, MN 55102; The event is open to the media and the public.

May 5, 7:30pm to 9:00pm: Book signing sponsored by Wellstone Action and featuring special guest Al Franken; Location: Barnes & Noble Edina, 3225 West 69th Street, Edina, MN 55435; Event contact: Barnes & Noble at 952-920-1060; The event is open to the media and the public.

BOOK INFO

More about Hostile Takeover, and the 15-city national book tour schedule: http://www.davidsirota.com/hostiletakeover

High resolution photo of the book’s cover: http://www.davidsirota.com/highrescover.tif

High resolution photo of the book’s author: http://www.davidsirota.com/sirotahighres.jpg

AUTHOR INFO

David Sirota has served as the press secretary for Independent Rep. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, as the spokesman for the U.S. House Appropriations Committee Democrats, and as a fellow at the Center for American Progress. He most recently served as a senior strategist helping Brian Schweitzer become Montana’s first Democratic governor in sixteen years. Sirota is a senior editor at In These Times, a regular contributor to The Nation and The American Prospect, the blogger for Working Assets, a twice-weekly guest on The Al Franken Show, and the co-chairperson of the Progressive Legislative Action Network. He has been a guest on, among others, National Public Radio, CNN, CNBC and MSNBC. Additionally, his work has also appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Los Angeles Times, the Baltimore Sun, and the Charlotte Observer. Sirota lives in Helena, Montana, with his wife Emily.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT HOSTILE TAKEOVER

“This book raises important questions about our country’s political system, questions that both parties must confront. Hostile Takeover makes a strong case that American democracy is under attack. Every politically engaged citizen who wants to know what challenges we face and how we can rebuild our country’s democracy should read this book.” —Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States

“Here are the horrifying facts about how our government works today—and for whom it works—delivered in a tone of outrage that is not only merited but appropriate. Read it and scream.” —Thomas Frank, author of What’s the Matter with Kansas?

“Hostile Takeover is a blunt, two-fisted attack that pulls back the covers on the cozy canoodling between corporations and our government. Sirota ferociously indicts politicians of both political parties for their shameless peddling of corporate PR and, in doing so, provides an indispensable guide to decoding the lies, red herrings, and propaganda of big business and its bought-and-paid-for mouthpieces on Capitol Hill.” —Arianna Huffington, author of Pigs at the Trough

“Here is a precious handbook for citizens living in the country of anger and disgust, written by a very smart, tough-minded young guerrilla who intends to overturn the politics owned by corporate power. Read it and you will no longer feel powerless. You may begin to believe it’s possible for the people to reclaim their democracy. You may even decide to join the fight.” —William Greider, author of Who Will Tell the People and correspondent for The Nation

“Hostile Takeover is not for the Powers That Be, but for the Powers That Ought to Be—the ordinary grassroots people of our country. Use this book as a lesson plan and action plan for taking our government back.” —Jim Hightower, author of Thieves in High Places

“David Sirota is a genuine American hero: he speaks the truth—forcefully, courageously, straightforwardly—with no apologies, and with thorough documentation. Hostile Takeover is about the theft of American democracy, the surreptitious transfer of governing power itself from an accountable, elected government to big corporations accountable only to profits. This book is an invaluable guide to how the hostile takeover of our government affects you, and what you can do about it.” —George Lakoff, author of Don’t Think of an Elephant!

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