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5 revelations from 'Game Change'

As the bestselling book 'Game Change' becomes an HBO movie, here are the 5 most interesting stories from the book.

5. Barack Obama's confidence-bordering-on-arrogance

Charles Dharapak/STF/AP

  • By Husna Haq Correspondent

Perhaps because he went on to capture the nomination – and the White House – “Game Change” goes easiest on Obama. Still, even the President can’t escape the authors’ scrutiny. Though his marriage and family life are described as ideal (“Obama adored his wife” and “didn’t even bother to pretend that he enjoyed anyone else’s company remotely as much as he relished being with her and their daughters”), his confidence in the campaign was depicted as almost blameworthy.

Writes Cleveland Plain Dealer reviewer Karen Long, “Before Barack Obama strode onto the national stage in Boston to deliver his electric, now legendary keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention, a reporter asked the Illinois state legislator about his nerves.

‘I'm LeBron, baby,’ Obama replied. ‘I can play on this level. I got some game.’”

“His calmness and composure could veer into the freakish, and sometimes concealed his gaudy confidence in himself,” write the authors.

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Mark Sappenfield
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