Witcover reveals how professional mercenaries, driven by an insatiable need for money, are poisoning public life. Meanwhile, politicians encourage this development, responding to the demands of a media-driven age. Sharp and revealing.

As the United States marks its first presidential election of a new century, Witcover shows us how professional mercenaries -- with little party loyalty and diminished political principles, driven by an insatiable need for money -- are poisoning public life. At the same time, politicians themselves have condoned and even encouraged these developments, responding to the demands of a media-driven age in which the press corps pursues its own quest for celebrity and financial reward. Sharp, revealing, and rich with anecdotes, No Way to Pick a President offers a wealth of presidential history, from the role of the vice president's office to campaign funds, television and the electoral college.

"Praise for the hardcover edition of No Way to Pick a President(0374223033):.""Provacative.Witcover blasts virtually everyone and everything associated with presidential elections." -- Washington Post Book World"An angry uncompromising survey of the steady debasement of the political coin." -- David Broder, Washington Post"Vintage Witcover, which means strong reporting, sharp analysis, and well turned anecdotes, revealing interviews, and an abiding love of the game, warts and all. Witcover is a great political reporter." -- Paul Taylor, The Washington Monthly"If you're despairing about the country's politics, this volume will provide intellectual ballast to your feelings." -- Matthew Cooper, New York Times Book Review