Inside the Statehouse: Lessons from the Speaker

Inside the Statehouse: Lessons from the Speaker

• Used Book in Good Condition

<P>"Don't believe any of these guys that try to tell you that they ran for office because a lot of folks begged them. I ran nine times, and though I was aware of lots of people who wished I hadn't, I never recall being begged . . ."<br><br> And so begins <I>Inside the Statehouse,</I> Ralph G. Wright's first-hand account of what life in state legislatures is <I>really</I> like. Wright takes us behind the scenes through the processes and after-hours exploits of the Vermont State House. Serving as Speaker for a decade, Wright chronicles the ups and downs of his career with insight, humor, and a bluntness that will leave students both enlightened and entertained. He offers a range of provocative lessons from sixteen years in the legislature--from how to lead your party to victory to why your best friend might vote against you. <br><br> An introduction by Alan Rosenthal sets the stage, giving students important context for how to place and process Wright's experiences within the larger study of state politics. From there on out, <I>Inside the Statehouse</I> illuminates the edicts and anomalies of representation, lawmaking, and balancing the executive branch in a personal and humanizing way. Wright details his experiences working with three governors: Madeleine Kunin (Dem.), the first woman governor in Vermont; Richard Snelling (Rep.), who became Wright's close friend and ally; and Howard Dean (Dem.), the prominent 2004 presidential candidate. Through the successes, pratfalls, and pathos of a remarkable legislative career, students discover what it means and what it takes to succeed in the statehouse.</p>