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Finishing @peterbakernyt @sbg1 fascinating book on former SecState James Baker right before the election left me reminiscing about where I was 20 years ago, the day before the 2000 election. 1/
First the book. It’s a wonderful read. Well researched, great pace. Baker is an impressive character. I thought I knew the politics of the 70s and 80s, but the details here on ’76 and ’80 campaigns are quite something. 2/
And while I knew first term Reagan NSC was a sh*tshow, the details here are gruesome. I came away from that wondering how Baker could have enjoyed the chief of staff job at all. Didn’t realize how close he came to being National Security Adviser. 3/
The authors do a great job showing Baker getting things done. As they put it, when they get to the present, “Baker was an actual dealmaker, while Trump just played one on television.” 4/
Baker’s ability to cajole, threaten, persist to get a deal, whether on tax policy or foreign policy, was quite something. 5/
Baker’s time as SecState was consequential. The main action was in the USSR+Eastern Europe. But without the US, German unification would not have gone as well as it did, if at all, and there wouldn’t have been a Gulf War coalition. Baker was indefatigable esp in Middle East. 6/
I loved that the authors made sure to bring my dear friend, the late Andrew Carpendale, into their story. The big man was a major force in my life, as he was for @cmschroed @derekchollet @ajkeen and many others. 7/
So, where I was 20 years ago? @mcfaul and I were interviewing Baker for our book on US-Russia relations. It was the day before the 2000 election. We were all very relaxed, after all, who knew what Baker would be doing two days later? 8/
That part of their book made me physically ill. How much of our current problems started with Bush v Gore. Roberts and Kavanaugh playing their role. It wasn’t about getting the results correct. It was about winning. And Baker knew how to win. 9/
Quick story on our 2000 interview. @mcfaul +I were asking Baker on '89-'93. As we were leaving, he said, you didn’t ask me about this, but I have to say something about Kosovo. That was not a US interest. It hurt our relations w/ Russia+China. We shouldn’t have done it. 10/
Well that certainly brought home his views on the Balkans wars. 11/
The Bush family turned on Trump (who turned on them first). But not Baker. Why? Authors show what Baker cares about most is GOP in charge of executive branch. Even if the WH occupant goes against everything he stands for in foreign policy. Doesn’t matter. 12/
Even if you know the politics, @peterbakernyt @sbg1 book gives you an appreciation for how dirty the politics can be, and why Baker the statesman was never able to put that behind him. A truly complex character, who wanted to win, and usually did. 13/13
