Alan
When I arrived in Chicago in 1993 for my first oppo research assignment, I had some experience in exhuming buried facts, primarily as a journalist. I was familiar with the machinations of politics, having ended up there as a result of the Mississippi voters giving the heave-ho to my former boss, Governor Ray Mabus, which forced me to cobble together a hybrid career as a freelance writer and researcher. A former compatriot from the governor’s office, Jere Nash, who had since become a political consultant, had contracted with Michael and me as his research bad boys, and Chicago was my personal proving ground. I am therefore indebted to Jere for his advice and for getting the postpartum career rolling, as well as to my first newspaper editor, Lee Cearnal, for teaching me how to get to the bottom of things, and to former Attorney General Mike Moore and subsequently, Ray Mabus, for initiating me into the political realm.
Next, thanks go to my friend and fellow writer Shane Dubow, whose idea it was to write a book about doing oppo (I was initially skeptical, but he persisted), and who offered guidance as Michael and I went about developing the concept. From that point we benefited from the insights and ministrations of our discerning and enthusiastic literary agent, Patty Moosbrugger, as well as the thoughtful, erudite and incredibly-easy-to-work-with Stephanie Meyers, our editor at HarperCollins. Finally, Michael and I remain deeply indebted—indentured, even—to the complicated, unpredictable and occasionally insane political system of the United States, which provides all the raw material an oppo researcher or a writer could want. And while it should not be confused with anything like gratitude, I feel we must acknowledge the general drift of American politics today, toward political performances that chew the scenery and play to the peanut gallery, with reckless disregard—on both sides of the footlights—for the truth. That, more than anything, offers continuing inspiration to Michael and me to find out what’s really going on.
Michael
Often I have to peer over my shoulder and ask, “How did I even get here?” The answer, of course, is found in the names of the many friends, family members and colleagues who led, pushed, cajoled, conspired, inspired and traveled with me to this place. It’s been quite a party.
To begin at the beginning of my political beginnings, I owe gratitude to Kane Ditto, one of the great unsung mayors of Jackson, Mississippi, who allowed me to ply my fledging love of campaign research in his re-election bid so long ago, tasting victory for the first time. Jay Neel, political consultant and longtime friend, who always talked up our ability to get the job done, and who knows everything about the Gettysburg battlefield, which is reason alone to recognize someone. My downtown family who has been with me from the first chapter. Craig Noone, a bright ornament who left behind a spirit that will always be wtih us. And Kate Royals, our steely-eyed guardian of facts.
While I echo Alan’s acknowledgements, I must thank Alan himself. With three books under his belt, he guided me along this boulder-strewn path, forced on numerous occasions to endure the phrase, “I’m stuck and I’m going to get a shot of tequila.” By the time we’re through, he warned, you’ll be sick of reading your own words. He was right, so I just read his.
Great stories never grow old. Claudia Levy convinced me a while back that I possessed an ability to tell a good one—and never grew tired of listening. She was a life preserver in a hurricane. Johnny, Rick and Sam, my lifelong friends, have always just been there. My two kids, Michael and Joanna, each in their own way, inspired so many of the words and thoughts presented here, and have been my breath.
Lastly, I must tip my cap to the most conservative Republican I’ve ever known; a woman who had to reconcile a mother’s pride that her middle son could actually write a coherent sentence with the realization that he had somehow become a Democrat. And this acknowledgment should be construed as everything like gratitude.