How to Hack a Party Line: The Democrats and Silicon Valley

FROM THE PUBLISHER

How to Hack a Party Line is the first book to explain the political significance of the high-technology industry. It shows the birth of a relationship between the new millionaires of the information age and the Washington insiders that will shape the politics of the twenty-first century.

Packed with exclusive, behind-the-scenes reporting, How to Hack a Party Line chronicles a high-stakes experiment: the creation of Silicon Valley's first political machine. The book explores the often contradictory forces behind Silicon Valley's political awakening-a mixture of naïve libertarian sentiment, northern California social attitudes, aggressive business instincts, and a raw desire for power. Simultaneously it looks at Centrist "new Democrats" who have left behind the liberal coalitions of the industrial economy and are seeking a new identity in the values proclaimed by high-tech capitalists: growth, globalism, efficiency, and innovation.

How to Hack a Party Line combines a colorful, character-rich narrative with serious reporting and political ans .iis. It asks what values prosper when high-tech business becomes the metaphor for society-and how, in the twenty-first century, democracy will respond.

Sara Miles has covered the politics of Silicon Valley for Wired and Wired News. Her work has also appeared in numerous publications, including The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Out Magazine. She lives in San Francisco.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

With billions in revenues and little political affiliation, Silicon Valley in the early 1990s was a jewel waiting to be snatched by either major party. The Democrats acted first, due largely to the efforts of Wade Randlett, the main figure in Miles's lively, firsthand account of the awakening of Silicon Valley's political consciousness and the wrangling that ensued. Randlett, an independent fundraiser and democratic political consultant, saw a chance to become an important player on Vice-President Al Gore's team by serving as the primary conduit between the Valley and Washington. Miles shows how Randlett, with significant backing from the powerful venture capitalist John Doerr, organized the mostly apolitical business and technical leaders of the Valley in a successful effort to defeat California's Proposition 211, designed to allow for shareholder lawsuits against California executives. Following the proposition's defeat in 1996, Randlett and Doerr formed TechNet, the first major political action committee to represent the interests of the Valley's high-tech companies. With Randlett's party ties and Gore's eagerness to be associated with the New Economy, TechNet tended to favor New Democrats. But as thoroughly as Miles charts the dynamics that tied the Valley to Washington, she writes in something of a vacuum. Though Gore's relationship to Silicon Valley is a major focus, Miles refers only passingly to his nomination in 2000 and fails to discuss the Valley's role in his campaign. She also overlooks the possible effects of the New Economy's crash on Silicon Valley's political influence. Given the current postelection turmoil, Miles's book is the victim of events happening at Internet-speed. (Feb.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

This unique title in the bloated literature on Silicon Valley discusses the relationship between politics and the new millionaires in the high-tech industry. Miles, who has covered the Valley's political scene for Wired and Wired News, focuses on the role of these millionaires in presidential elections. The Democratic Party is the beneficiary of the increasingly politically active Silicon Valley magnates, who had a major influence on the campaigns of Bill Clinton and Al Gore. The author uses case studies to describe this recent trend. For example, Wade Randlett's major role in TechNet, a political action committee representing Silicon Valley, is discussed. Also described are Randlett' s fundraising activities for the Democratic Party and his lobbying efforts, including rallying against California's Proposition 211 (which would have allowed stockholders to sue executives). Miles relates the reaction of Silicon Valley to the Microsoft antitrust case and to the Clinton impeachment hearings. A fascinating study of two worlds and their complex interrelationship, this is recommended for public and academic libraries.--Lucy Heckman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, NY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

A journalist specializing in the politics of Silicon Valley, Miles reveals how powerbrokers from Washington, DC and high-tech hustlers from California have been interacting over the past few years as one side smelled millions in campaign contributions and the other smelled political clout. Her star player is New Democrat Wade Randlett. She provides neither index nor bibliography. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Dickinson - Wired

It's a witty, character-rich piece of reportage that charts the parallel rise of high tech in Caligornia and pro-business New Democrats in Washingron, DC. This happy (if sometimes stormy) covergence, Miles writes, has altered the landscape of national politics.

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