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Graham Book Blends Profiles In Courage With Government How To

Democrats are doing a lot of soul searching after the Nov. 8 general election, and former U.S. Senator Bob Graham is no exception.

But much of Graham’s response is contained in his new book, “America, The Owner’s Manual,” and Graham’s advice is get involved.

The timing couldn’t be better for Graham’s book, a blend of “Profiles in Courage,” and government how-to. Graham admits he didn’t anticipate Donald Trump’s victory and he isn’t happy about it.

But Graham says he and co-author Chris Hand started writing two years ago after a Pew Research Center survey hinted at the electorate’s widespread dissatisfaction -- the same dissatisfaction Trump rode to the White House.

“Trump, and to an extent, Bernie Sanders, where the only two who seemed to get it. That they had heard what the American people were saying about their relationship with government. And then, Trump was able to convert what he heard into a winning message.”

The book contains a step-by-step guide for navigating the political system, persuading elected officials and using government to solve problems.

“Our book is designed to fill some of the those voids by giving to persons of high school or college age a book which will help them master the skills that are essential for an effective citizen.”

The book also profiles people who have made government work, including Tea Party and solar power activist Debbie Dooley, who transformed Georgia into an alternative energy leader.

A Miami native, former WFSU reporter Jim Ash is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of experience, most of it in print. He has been a member of the Florida Capital Press Corps since 1992.