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From the Back Cover ------------------- Get the inside scoop on the most powerful city on Earth How Washington Actually Works For Dummies isn't a dryexplanation of the American system of government but a playbook forhow the policymaking process really works: who has a seat at thetable, who is on the outside wielding influence, and who implementspolicy after it's approved. It takes you inside the politicalprocess in Washington, discusses how the government's power hasgrown through the years, and explains how the parts fittogether. * Washington's past and present — get a brief history ofthe city from its humble beginnings to its emergence as a seat oftrue power, and find out what life in D.C. is really liketoday * The men and women behind the curtain — acquaint yourselfwith federal bureaucrats, from the Executive Office of thePresident to the Cabinet to the federal agency workers who keep thegovernment running * Professional persuaders — discover the ins and outs ofwhat lobbyists do, what rights they have, and how they influenceWashington * The Oval Office — glimpse the day-to-day inner workingsof the White House and how the president works with Congress,lobbyists, media, and constituents Open the book and find: * Who really wields power in Washington * Why the president's influence is limited * How a good policy idea can become a law * How to spot a federal worker * Tips for getting your foot in the door in D.C. * What think tanks, activists, and other D.C. players do * Ten ways to influence policymaking Learn to: * Grasp what it's like behind the scenes in the most powerfulcity on Earth * Experience a day in the life of Congress * Discover the workings of the White House * Make sense of how policy ideas are born Read more ( javascript:void(0) ) About the Author ---------------- Greg Rushford has been observing Washington's politicalscene since 1967 — first as a student, then as acongressional aide during the 1970s, and, in recent decades, as ajournalist who specializes in the politics of international tradeand diplomacy. Read more ( javascript:void(0) )