How to Test Negative for Stupid

ByJohn Kennedy

Release Date: 2025-10-07
Genre: Political Science

Score: 4.5

4.5

From 334 Ratings

Description

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

One of the most distinctive and funny politicians, Senator John Kennedy (the one from Louisiana)—hailed by Politico as “America’s most quotable Senator”—offers his perceptive (and hilarious) takes on the ridiculousness of political life in this scathingly witty takedown of Washington and its elite denizens.

How to Test Negative for Stupid offers the Senator’s tongue-in-cheek guidebook through Washington, punctuated by his thoughts on various issues and humorous stories about life from Louisiana politics and inside the Senate.

From the mind—and mouth—of "America's Most Quotable Senator":
“Always be yourself . . . unless you suck.”“I say this gently: This is why the aliens won’t talk to us.”“If you trust government, you obviously failed history class.”“I believe that our country was founded by geniuses, but it’s being run by idiots.”“Always follow your heart . . . but take your brain with you.”“I’m not going to Bubble Wrap it: The water in Washington, D.C., won’t clear up until you get the pigs out of the creek.”“I have the right to remain silent but not the ability.”“Common sense is illegal in Washington, D.C., I know. I’ve seen it firsthand.”“I believe that we are going to have to get some new conspiracy theories. All the old ones turned out to be true.”

Reviews

Not what I thought
1
By NoGrant
Fooled by the title: “How to not test for stupidity, and why Washington never will”, and not “… and why the other party never will”

The book started off as a treat. Kennedy’s childhood, education (impressive), early political career and his first experiences as a freshman US senator were all very interesting.

Then it was on to the other guys. Boneheaded policies, candidates for high office without a clue, fooling a clearly diminished President Biden into proving his diminished state to his inquisitor for no good reason, and using the justice department to hound political foes. Couldn’t argue about most of his observations, though.

However, nothing about January 6th, January 21st 2025 (“patriots” freedom day), abysmal cabinet appointees, military adventuring, demands that DoJ find anything on past opponents for flimsy criminal charges, compliant representatives and senators, etc.

Typical biography from a political insider?

Fooled me. Same on me.
How to Test Negative for Stupid
5
By Petepal1
Refreshing to see common sense expressed so clearly. And with such wit.
Educational on the inner workings of DC and funny
5
By Marnja
Loved this book, it is laugh out loud funny and serious at the same time.
How to test negative for Stupid
5
By NealTMetcalfe
Senator Kennedy is a breath of fresh air in the largest, swamp area of the north east, Washington, DC. If we had more Senators and leadership with common sense and family values leading the country we would be getting back on track. Thank you Senator for the humor, honesty and common sense in this great book and your daily service to your state and our country!
Excellent
5
By Ziggy and Zoe
Love his humor, better yet his insite into the crazy of congress and the people we have voted in. Easy fun read but also a wake up call to better understand the people we are voting for.
Boring at best
3
By stfukarens
More of a democrat than I knew
Boring and ramblings of an old man
Great Read
5
By Stanman08
JK is the most common sense politician in DC. Just wish his intellect and integrity would rub off.
Interesting and funny
5
By Mark Golfer725
Interesting and funny
Outstanding
5
By Greywolf8577
I expected nothing less and I got it
Great Read
5
By MeMealso
An honest insight in the political arena.
Insightful and a joy to read.