Madam President follows the term of President Kalinda Resbo, who takes on a major crisis in Iran, investigates traitors within the government, and brings white-collar corporate criminals to justice, while, at the same time, is in the middle of a tough reelection campaign. This is not your normal president, however. President Resbo is a single black woman, the first in US history. As such, she brings out the best and worst in people at all levels. Some like her, but an equal number despise her and who she is. This is a fairly interesting, though not very original, story about the struggles of the president of the United States. The trials and tribulations of President Resbo are patterned after those of our current president, President Obama. I particularly enjoyed the way this story showed a more human side of a person of power. The corruption and dog-eat-dog world she lives in is very realistic and well portrayed. However, I wish the author had taken more time to edit the book because there were errors in spelling, tenses, etc. This and the fact that the story and its plot were not very original resulted in a lower rating by me. There just wasn’t enough difference from the trials and tribulations we read about that our current president undergoes. Before I read the book, I expected a story very loosely patterned on the administration of President Obama, not the same story of the president, only with a female black woman incumbent rather than a male. Nevertheless, the story and characters are well developed and interesting. I am not sure about the chemistry between President Resbo and her Chief of Staff, as it kept changing throughout the book. This book did provide me a glimpse into what life for a female president would be like, which I appreciated. I think anyone who has an interest in current events and/or politics or anyone who wants to experience the life of a female president will enjoy this book. I received this from Library Thing to read and review. ( )

To be honest, I was not able to make it past the first chapter in this book (it was that awful). I was expecting a thrilling novel about a woman who bucks tradition and stands up for her beliefs against all political odds. But this is not a novel, this is a vicious, hate-filled bash that isn't even well-written.

The author constantly repeats himself. For example: "Skylar and her husband, Art, are still madly in love, just as they were teenagers. Their romance still burns brightly, seeming to become stronger with each passing year." One paragraph later, after talking about how wonderful the relationship between these two characters is: "They are a couple who have been together for going on three decades, and their relationship is stronger than ever." Two pages later: "They have the kind of long-term love that eludes the average couple" which leads into another paragraph on how wonderful their relationship is. Don't get me wrong, I think a strong marriage relationship is a good thing but this constant, unoriginal repetition made me cringe. And this isn't the only time the author does this.

I also find Resbo to be unbelievable as a character. It might just be that I haven't read far enough into the book but she appears to have no flaws and is "perfect" (believes all the "right" things, attacks her opponents viciously and gets away with it, etc). She also spouts her mouth off at everyone who disagrees with her. I seriously doubt someone could do that and become President with the support of a major political party (the book opens with her having been a Democratic presidential candidate).

Finally, I have no love for the GOP but I cannot agree with the author's vicious mudslinging in their direction. It is childish and immature. If you have a problem with what someone believes you do not call them names, you answer them with facts and prove them wrong. I also don't see how calling the Democrats publicly results in anything constructive (once again, Resbo is not believable). I was very disappointed.

I found the idea of a woman running as President and holding both parties accountable despite all odds to be very intriguing but, thanks to poor writing and what seems to be deep-seated bitterness, this book does not do that plot idea justice at all. I would recommend passing on this read. :(
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Note: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. ( )

I had a hard time following this book. It kept jumping around making it hard to understand so I was unable to finish. I will try reading again at a later date and update this.

This novel looks at the presidency of America's first black, female President.

In 2012, things are not going well for Kalinda Resbo. She can't get anything through Congress, mostly because Congressional Republicans have decided to say No to anything she advocates. Congressional Democrats are not much better, being too cowardly to stand with her. Her CIA and FBI Directors, along with her Vice President (they were forced on her by the Democratic leadership), are neo-cons who really want to start a war with Iran over their nuclear program. Because Resbo does not agree, they are actively hostile to her, undermining her whenever possible. In the eyes of some, as an unmarried black woman, she is automatically an America-hating lesbian socialist. With election season here, her poll numbers are not good, mostly due to her abrasive campaign manager.

There are some good people in her administration. Among them is J.B. Wellers, her Chief of Staff, who also ran her first presidential campaign. He is one of those who is not afraid to tell the unvarnished truth, even to her, which is why she values his advice so strongly. She asks him to take over her campaign again, and things start to improve. Resbo makes a bold move by announcing that she is running for re-election as an Independent, and with a new running mate. Unconstrained by party requirements, she makes a series of gutsy proposals for her second term. Among the things she advocates are: replacing the federal income tax with a national sales tax; geting rid of the two-party system; term limits for the Congress and President; campaign finance reform, filibuster reform and closing all foreign military bases. her two opponents, Mitt Romney and Leroy Skittles (her current VP) can't keep up with her and have to rely on the usual political nonsense. Resbo is ahead in the polls, but not enough to keep the election out of the House of Representatives. Meantime, a secret plan is brought forward to make sure that Resbo is a one-term President, using a method that was last used successfully in 1963 in Dallas.

This is not a liberal or conservative story, but it is a really good story. Both parties share the blame for America's current condition, and, if both parties can somehow put America ahead of Party, maybe some of it can get fixed. This is well worth the reader's time. ( )