"...the social, cultural, and institutional fabric of the country is fraying at an alarming rate. It is in this climate that the congressional elections of 2018 are upon us. The conditions are ideal for this to be another election driven by movements, not by local campaign issues..." - Charles Burson, The Ground Game
In late winter 2015, the presidential campaign of 2016 was upon us. I decided then that the election would be the subject of my Anderson Ranch Advanced Mentored Project. Hopefully, I could document the campaigns in such a way as to give insightful voice to the color, pageantry, humor, darkness, and energy of the presidential campaign.
I set out with the absolute certainty of a Hillary presidency.
I designed my project with that in mind-to document the efforts and ascendency of staffers and fundraisers through the campaign, Inaugural, appointments and the launching of careers. What I didn’t know was that this was to be the end of an era. My journey and era of engagement in the passions and roaring currents of politics came to a crashing and frightening finale at the Javits Center in New York City very early in the morning November 9, 2016. Our country was moving on to a new and perhaps dark destiny-one that was likely to redefine American politics.
The photographs would now have to support a darker and more inquiring narrative as to how this happened.
I set out with the absolute certainty of a Hillary presidency.
I designed my project with that in mind-to document the efforts and ascendency of staffers and fundraisers through the campaign, Inaugural, appointments and the launching of careers. What I didn’t know was that this was to be the end of an era. My journey and era of engagement in the passions and roaring currents of politics came to a crashing and frightening finale at the Javits Center in New York City very early in the morning November 9, 2016. Our country was moving on to a new and perhaps dark destiny-one that was likely to redefine American politics.
The photographs would now have to support a darker and more inquiring narrative as to how this happened.
Testimonials
"[The book] is not only acute on the limits of the data game but also valuable as a real memoir of certain key historical episodes especially involving the 2000 campaign. And the pictures are swell. I really like the swooping overhead pictures capturing a whole scene."
-Sidney Blumenthal, author and journalist
"Charles Burson, former Attorney General of the State of Tennessee and former legal counsel to Vice President Al Gore, has written a fascinating book that chronicles the workings and feelings of the tireless workers behind the Clinton Campaign of 2016. He made us see -- through his up close and personal photographs -- what was really happening. We felt as if we were actually there working with the folks who put their hearts and souls into this endeavor. Burson really hit the whole thing on the mark and makes very clear how these political campaigns operate and really work from the ground up."
-Nancy and Ken Kranzberg
"Very well written, very well thought through and insightful…It was a good read and frankly not encouraging for those of us who thought we had a democracy..."
-Norm Sinel, author and former counsel, PBS
"Buckle Up. Charles' book is a rare combination of poetic beauty and a front row seat to pivotal moments in American politics."
-Ethan Felder
"The photos are compelling, artistic and taken with a keen eye…As much as I liked viewing the photos, the text is the strength of the book…It was superb…"
-Blanchard Tual
"[The book] is not only acute on the limits of the data game but also valuable as a real memoir of certain key historical episodes especially involving the 2000 campaign. And the pictures are swell. I really like the swooping overhead pictures capturing a whole scene."
-Sidney Blumenthal, author and journalist
"Charles Burson, former Attorney General of the State of Tennessee and former legal counsel to Vice President Al Gore, has written a fascinating book that chronicles the workings and feelings of the tireless workers behind the Clinton Campaign of 2016. He made us see -- through his up close and personal photographs -- what was really happening. We felt as if we were actually there working with the folks who put their hearts and souls into this endeavor. Burson really hit the whole thing on the mark and makes very clear how these political campaigns operate and really work from the ground up."
-Nancy and Ken Kranzberg
"Very well written, very well thought through and insightful…It was a good read and frankly not encouraging for those of us who thought we had a democracy..."
-Norm Sinel, author and former counsel, PBS
"Buckle Up. Charles' book is a rare combination of poetic beauty and a front row seat to pivotal moments in American politics."
-Ethan Felder
"The photos are compelling, artistic and taken with a keen eye…As much as I liked viewing the photos, the text is the strength of the book…It was superb…"
-Blanchard Tual
