Name: Positive Politics
Author: Neil Thanedar

About the Book

You can make a positive impact through politics NOW. The sneaky secret of politics is that the people on the inside want it to look complicated so you’ll leave it to them. When you see politicians on TV, you’re seeing the perfectly polished version of what they want you to see. Neil Thanedar has been backstage with the president, next to the speechwriters, reading the teleprompters. These are all real people: stressed, tired, and doing their best—and you are absolutely capable of being one of them. You have the skills, you have the drive, you have the vision. You just need to get started. Positive Politics shows you exactly how to get into politics, with real strategies from people who went from complete outsiders to making history. Discover how to harness professional skills you’ve spent years honing to build political power, win elections, and positively change the world.

Praise

“Positive Politics shows how ambitious optimists can fight for fundamental values, build lasting power, and win with integrity. A must-read for anyone ready to change their community—and the world—for the better.”

— Reed Shafer-Ray, Founder of Mountaintop International and Co-founder of Lead for America.

“When it comes to how we reframe our politics, a subject roaring in the ears of all thoughtful people, you want analysts with three qualities: the practicality of an entrepreneur, the insight of an engineer or scientist, and the retail political moxie of a Chicago alderman. Two are rare in the same person. With Neil, you get all three.”

— Mark Mullen, Founder of Turnout Nation and former Director of the National Democratic Institute.

“Most books about politics focus on problems. Neil chose a better path by making Positive Politics a playbook full of solutions—showing how ambitious optimists can use our inner drive to positively change the world.”

— Karthik Puvvada, Head of Founder Relations at Paddle and Founder and CEO of the Build in Public Fellowship.

About Neil Thanedar

Neil Thanedar is a nonprofit leader and activist who started his career as a scientist, founder, and angel investor. His three startups are now worth over $100 million. He is executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, a nonpartisan nonprofit fighting dark money in Michigan politics, and founder and chairman of Labdoor, the independent worldwide alternative to the FDA. He also served as executive director of the Detroit Partnership and senior advisor to his father, Shri Thanedar, in his campaigns for governor, State House, and US Congress. A University of Michigan alumnus, Neil and his family call Michigan home.