August 17, 2012 11:55 AM
A Book Worth Reading
"The Candidate: What It Takes To Win – And Hold – The White House" by Samuel L. Popkin
WW does not generally recommend books but this is an exception. Sam Popkin’s new book may be the first. Given the current election, its publication earlier this year is particularly timely.It meets several tests that are important to me. It is not too long, only 272 pages. It is a good read and it makes sense. The footnoting and bibliography are extensive, in case there is something that causes you to want to look a little further.
Here are two paragraphs from the last chapter of the book, entitled “Is this any way to Pick a President?”
“Anyone willing to run for president puts his neck on the line. No one should think it is all smoke and mirrors, or that it doesn’t take brains and courage to do well. It is the toughest, fastest political competition there is. The winner of a presidential election is the most powerful person in the world; the runner-up is the biggest loser in the world.
“But is this any way to pick a president? Does, the protracted, expensive, long march that begins with state primaries and ends with the general election produce better or worse presidents than we got in the age when party leaders picked their party’s nominee?”
If you want the answer – read the book.
[In honor of full disclosure, I have known Sam for a very long time. While he is three years younger than me, he grew up in Superior, Wisconsin, while I was growing up in Duluth, Minnesota. These towns are referred to as the “Twin Ports,” separated by water and connected by a bridge. We were both active in the northern region of the AZA, a B’nai Brith youth organization, and I am quoted in the book – accurately.]
