A Citizen's Guide to Beating Donald Trump

By: David Plouffe

Narrated by: David Plouffe

Length: 4 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

A New York Times best seller

As seen on CBS This Morning, PBS NewsHour, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Pod Save America, and more.

A voter's playbook on making a difference in the 2020 election and beyond from the most recognized and most successful political strategist in the country

If you've asked yourself the question, what more can I do to make sure Donald Trump does not continue to occupy the Oval Office on January 20, 2021? - then this book is for you. A playbook for the common citizen, A Citizen's Guide to Beating Donald Trump addresses the many things individuals can do in 2020 every day, without having to leave their jobs, move to Iowa, or spend every waking moment on the election.

In A Citizen's Guide to Beating Donald Trump, Plouffe's message is simple: The only way change happens, especially on scale, is one human being talking to another. It won't happen magically, it won't happen because of debates and conventions, it won't happen because of ads. It will happen because citizens take action. And Plouffe is here to help, with specific strategies and tailored talking points to make sure your time and energy aren't wasted. He lays out why different activities the average citizen can take can make a difference to getting to 270 electoral votes, how people can go about doing them and examples of where it's worked in the past.

There are at least 65 million Americans who are likely committed to voting against Trump. It is entirely in our control to grow that number and make sure the support materializes in actual votes. Plouffe arms us with advice on how to defend against misinformation online, how to create and spread content, how to register and get out the vote early, how to make a difference in the battlegrounds, and how to stay involved after the big election.

Filled with stories from the last 16 years, both successes and failures, as well as political strategies that have evolved in the wake of the breakthrough campaign that Plouffe masterminded, A Citizen's Guide to Beating Donald Trump is a pragmatic, specific, and very motivational guide for the path forward.

©2020 David Plouffe (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"An invaluable map for political engagement." (Booklist)

A very practical guide to elections

I read this book late but it still had very useful information for future elections. It inspired me to go canvassing for the first time.

Listen to it and get to work

Yes, you should get this. Listen ASAP. Get to work now to beat Trump and move this country forward.

I had hoped for more

Maybe it's because I am not a campaign manager. I found this book dry, often uninteresting, and buried in the weeds. Though I agree with the thesis of this book, and definitely want to replace Donald Trump, this book did not help me get to where I want to go.

Gives me hope

I needed to hear some practical ideas and actions that I could do to contribute to the upcoming election. Who better to hear from than man David Plouffe! 👍🏽

Great book!!

David Plugged 's books are never a disappointment. His books are some of the best I've read. Hopefully, he'll write another one soon😊.

A must read for the future of our democracy

I've always respected David's experience and perspective on democratic politics. In this book he gives a step-by-step guide to defeating this president. We have a lot of stake in this election and reading this and implementing the recommendations on the Democratic nominees and in down ballot races, will make a difference. Grateful that David wrote it and I hope it's read far and wide. I highly recommend it.

Must Read and Digest!

A true citizen’s guide on how to defeat Donald Trump in 2020. If we all use this Rx, we have the best chance to turnout the vote and defeat Donald Trump. We all have so much more to contribute...Let’s go...YES WE CAN!!!!

This book is enlightening and empowering

The task of defeating D... T....and the nihilistic individuals who have grabbed power in this country seems so daunting. But, like the disciples who were charged with feeding the 5000 when they only had 5 loaves and 2 fish, what we have is enough. David encourages us to not wait to be perfect. But to act. I have a Facebook acquaintance who is very pro D...T...
I used to just try to ignore her, but I have begun to respond in truth and respect. I got a text from a cousin in Iowa who said “ I am so glad you are answering her”. It was a small seed that has found fertile ground just as David predicted it would. Yes I will and Yes we can.

Just a bashing job on anyone right of center

Although I may or may not disagree with the author, if you are not left of center, he thinks very little of you and makes no bones about it. I guess I’m tired of all the name calling, on both sides.

Merely a recruiting advertisement for volunteers

Based on the author's background, I should have realized what this would be. But I was hoping for something that described the issues where the Democrats disagree with Trump, such as immigration, racism, environment, climate change, etc. Instead the whole book is just about getting people to volunteer to help the Democrats defeat Trump in November 2020.

I'm a non-partisan voter who dislikes Trump, and I would have appreciated knowing more about the issues rather than how a volunteer should talk with people on the phone or in person, or where to watch the returns on TV on election night.

Also, I think the author should have waited until the Democrats had a real nominee for president before releasing this book. I realize that would have meant a much smaller window where this book would be relevant, but knowing who will be facing off against Trump before volunteering to help the Democrats is important.