Why do we vote? Why do some stay home? And with the right persuasion techniques, can the political industrial complex manipulate those patterns?

These important questions are at the heart of a new book exploring the science behind campaigning, because for all the hullabaloo made over television ads, this election will be won and lost by the ground game.

The Victory Lab, The Secret Science of Winning Campaigns, by journalist Sasha Issenberg, has been called the Moneyball of politics. It takes readers into the minds of pollsters and field operatives to reveal some of the tactics behind getting-out-the-vote.

We amuse the rest of the world, we’re like a clown to them.

At the very end, TMCP identifies for a coy Stretch Gregory a General whose statement he’ll emulate with regard to running for, or even becoming, President. And it’s not U S Grant!