Description
Book SynopsisPolitical Rules of the Road is a collection of informal rules, advice, and anecdotes shared by former and current members of congress, presidents, governors, and cabinet members.
Trade ReviewFrey and Jewett have assembled a remarkable collection of practical insights into the mindset of elected officials in the United States. Students who read this book will come away with a better understanding of American politics and the legislative process, academics might benefit even more significantly by extracting data about the attitudes of public officials from this new primary source…A must read… -- Dr. Scot Schraufnagel, associate professor of political science, Northern Illinois University
There is an enormous amount of wisdom between the covers of this book. I can't imagine a freshman Member of Congress or newly-arrived staff member not learning an enormous amount and being wiser for having read this. For that matter, there are important lessons that many veterans could learn too. This is a great contribution to the understanding of Capitol Hill and how it works and how to succeed. -- Charlie Cook, editor, The Cook Political Report, political analyst, National Journal and NBC News
In Political Rules of the Road, Lou Frey and Aubrey Jewett have called upon scores of former members of Congress (and some high public officials) to share their most basic rules for success on Capitol Hill in particular and life in general. For Rep. Frey, a former member of Congress himself, this book is clearly a labor of love. And he and Dr. Jewett have tapped an impressive array of the famous— George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Newt Gingrich and Donald Rumsfeld (to name a few)—as well as the not so famous. Many describe their "rules" with a touch of humor. Some employ an entertaining anecdote or two. Others simply deliver a simple, clear cut statement. But all combine to give us a better understanding of Capitol Hill and the people who have worked so hard to represent us there. -- Rhodes Cook, editor, The Rhodes Cook Letter, political analyst
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 3 Chapter 1: Campaigns, Elections, Voters, and Constituents Chapter 4 Chapter 2: Congressional Service, Colleagues, Leadership and Staff Chapter 5 Chapter 3: Representation, Decision Making, Voting and Legislative Success Chapter 6 Chapter 4: Political Parties, Partisanship, Interest Groups and Bureaucracy Chapter 7 Chapter 5: Media, Ethics, Speeches and Public Relations Chapter 8 Chapter 6: Politicians, Politics, Policy and Life Chapter 9 Afterword Chapter 10 Contributors