Seeking Bipartisanship: My Life in Politics, by Ray LaHood, Frank H. Mackaman
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Seeking Bipartisanship: My Life in Politics, by Ray LaHood, Frank H. Mackaman
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The twenty years since 1995 have seen their share of landmark events. Among them a contested presidential election result (2000), a terrorist attack on U.S. soil (2001), the beginning of a war in Iraq (2003), economic calamity (2008), the election and reelection of the nation's first African American president (2008, 2012), two changes in party control of the presidency, three changes in party control of the House (including the first Republican majority in 40 years as a result of the 1994 congressional elections), and five changes in party control of the Senate. Throughout these volatile times, one theme stands out: political polarization has characterized American politics, creating gridlock in Washington and breeding distrust of government among the nation's citizens. Few first-hand accounts from those who witnessed and participated in these events currently exist. Their experiences and evaluations of trends and events, however, not only help us understand the dynamics and impact of partisanship over two decades but also suggest possible remedies. This book provides a personal perspective from one of a very few individuals who served both in Congress and in a presidential Cabinet during these tumultuous times. LaHood's account covers his 14 years in Congress with 10 chapters centered on four pivotal events. The first relates to the "Gingrich Revolution" when Republicans seized control of the House in 1995. As a former staffer to House Republican leader Robert H. Michel, LaHood occupied a unique vantage point as his party won and eventually lost their majority amidst the intrigue of intraparty leadership battles and increasing confrontation between the two political parties. As the only elected Republican selected for President Obama's Cabinet, LaHood sought to bridge the partisan divide between the new Democratic administration and Republicans on Capitol Hill. It proved to be a struggle compounded by the president's governing style and Republican intransigence. President Obama's promise to govern in a bipartisan manner went unrealized for reasons LaHood addresses in this book. This book is an important volume for all political science and history collections focused on presidents, presidential administrations, Congress, political biography, and political partisanship. The book will also appeal to general readers and to political practitioners. See www.cambriapress.com/books/9781604979053.cfm for more details on this Cambria Press publication. The book includes reproductions of White House photographs and archival materials
Seeking Bipartisanship: My Life in Politics, by Ray LaHood, Frank H. Mackaman - Amazon Sales Rank: #1096658 in Books
- Published on: 2015-10-28
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 9.02" h x .81" w x 5.98" l, 1.17 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 364 pages
Seeking Bipartisanship: My Life in Politics, by Ray LaHood, Frank H. Mackaman Review "Bipartisanship can work, and it should work better. Ray and I did it in Congress. My relationship with Ray is proof of that. If we could work together, and we did, anything is possible. This much-needed book--not only for American politics but also for the American people and all who believe in democracy--is a brilliant account of how we can and should seek bipartisanship. It presents an important part of American history--when Democrats and Republicans reached across the aisle." - Rahm Emanuel, Mayor, City of Chicago"Ray LaHood succeeded me in the House, and I could not be prouder. As his book makes clear, Ray earned the respect of Democrats and Republicans by the way he conducted himself and by his efforts to foster good will among members, particularly in the House. I found his account of the four "civility retreats" he helped to organize compelling and disheartening at the same time. I can only wish that his approach to politics and public service could be emulated throughout Congress today. " - Robert H. Michel, U.S House of Representatives, 1957-1995 "This new book, written with Frank Mackaman, underscores those commitments and reflects on the seminal events that characterized and shaped a model career in public service. If we had more Ray LaHoods, we would not be so concerned about the deep, tribal dysfunction that now characterizes our politics." - Norman J. Ornstein, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research "No one is better positioned than Ray LaHood to tell the story of why relationships within Congress have broken down in these last decades and what needs to be done to fix the system. A veteran political moderate who fought the good fight throughout his career, LaHood is a skilled storyteller, making the reader feel as if he is in the midst of the battles on the floor and in the cloakroom. This is a thoroughly entertaining memoir as well as an important one." - Doris Kearns Goodwin, Historian"To understand Washington today and to see the impact of unbridled partisanship, read this book. Ray LaHood tried to inject a common sense, bipartisan approach to facing the nation's challenges. It was an uphill fight, and his insight helps explain what must change in our politics today." - John Dingell, U.S. House of Representatives, 1955-2015
About the Author Ray LaHood joined Barack Obama's Cabinet as U.S. secretary of transportation in January 2009, retiring in July 2013. In the president's words: "Years ago, we were drawn together by a shared belief that those of us in public service owe an allegiance not to party or faction, but to the people we were elected to represent. And Ray has never wavered in that belief." Previously, LaHood served in the Illinois House of Representatives, as a staff member to U.S. representative Thomas F. Railsback (R-IL) and to House Republican leader Robert H. Michel (R-IL). LaHood won the first of seven elections as a Republican from central Illinois to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 (He did not run in 2008). He holds a BS in education and sociology from Bradley University. In January 2014, LaHood joined DLA Piper, a global business law firm, as a senior policy advisor. Frank H. Mackaman directs the work of The Dirksen Congressional Center (Pekin, Illinois), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. Previously director of the Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum, he holds a PhD and an MA in American history from the University of Missouri and a BA from Drake University. Mackaman's publications include Understanding Congressional Leadership, Gerald R. Ford: Presidential Perspectives from the National Archives and The Education of a Senator: Everett McKinley Dirksen. He has taught courses on the presidency and Congress at the University of Michigan and Bradley University. Mackaman is past president of the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress.
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Healthy Food for Thought for Politicians...and all Americans By Minnie I. To be transparent, Ray has been my Congressman and I know Frank Mackaman, the co-author. To that end, I can say that the opinions and beliefs shared in this book absolutely match in person. These men represent what we used to call "real gentlemen." As my Congressman, Mr. LaHood always answered my emails and truly was an advocate for our community. We didn't always agree, but I will say this, he and his office always took the time to listen and respond. There is no hyperbole in this book or ego-inflation. This is an accurate representation of Ray LaHood's persona.That being said, I recognize that I might be a bit more biased in favor of this book than others. But here's why I recommend this book. First of all, the book is a comfortable read about an uncomfortable topic. Unlike others who castigate the "opposition," I believe LaHood offers even-handed criticism of our current way of governing without vitriol. His criticisms of the government and individuals lie not in personal vendetta or obnoxious name-calling but in how hard-headed, winner-take-all attitudes keep the country from moving forward and solving real problems. In a world of "haters," this book reflects a more appropriate, civil way to govern--one that appreciates the diversity of opinion without the drama of characterizing the opposition's point of view as "horse piss" (as one reviewer noted).Second, LaHood's suggestion for leadership, compromise, and negotiation--if ever put into practice--would go a long way in healing a divided country and solving the serious problems facing our nation. LaHood's analysis of the problems of governing are not one-sided. He is an equal opportunity critic, and like the lessons learned at the end of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," without mutual understanding, "All are punished." Our current presidential primary season would be a lot more productive if the candidates followed LaHood's guidelines for leadership, instead of auditioning for a new reality TV show called "The Real Politicians of DC."Third, because LaHood has not been one of those politicians who constantly is seen in the media grabbing headlines with odious comments, we get a much clearer picture of what the "average" Representative experiences. We don't see the flamboyance of media ops and talking points, but we do see a real picture of the types of behaviors that can make or break our country's progress. This book helps the reader understand the mass of bureaucratic red tape (house rules, committees, procedures) that our Congress has self-imposed--and why that hinders real work getting done.I recommend this book to anyone who wants to see American government from a humble (he really is) public servant, who holds the hope in his heart for a brighter and better America through civility, thoughtful compromise (actions where representatives can come to decisions that they feel they can live with and actively support, even though it may not be everything they wanted), and seeking first to understand. I applaud Mr. LaHood's fine career and thoughtful memoir. Well done!
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Bipartisanship is a two-way street, Ray By Jim Very interesting memoir. There's just one thing I would like to know:LaHood describes how Obama et al. failed to really work across the aisle. I totally agree with that. Obama could be way better at congressional relations. HOWEVER: Republicans who say this always leave out one important thing: what exactly were they willing to vote for in the way of bipartisanship? LaHood implies that if Obama had worked more from the center out and dealt with the GOP then there could have been a truly bipartisan stimulus. But he neglects to give us any details about what that would have actually looked like. I would like to hear from the GOP critics of Obama, and from LaHood: please give us some concrete, specific examples of bipartisan policy that the GOP would have supported. Because I haven't heard any. Remember: the stimulus had $250 billion in tax cuts, and the GOP didn't support it. What did they want? Less money? More scrutiny for wasteful spending? I have never heard any GOP proposal other than Eric Cantor wanting tax cuts. That is not a bipartisan proposal - Democrats do not believe in tax cuts as a go-to economic stimulus. Yet they included them in the stimulus anyway, to get GOP votes. When did Republicans EVER include a Democratic proposal in a big bill they were trying to pass? Did the 2003 Medicare bill include a new tax on billionaires, in order to attract liberal votes? Nope.So while I believe there is something to the argument that Obama wasn't as good at reaching out as he'd said he would be, that doesn't let the Republicans off the hook. I'm waiting to hear what precisely they were willing to give, if the magic "bipartisanship" had materialized like they demanded. So far, I haven't heard anything. I was disappointed that LaHood didn't give any details.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A rare breed of politician... By A. Gardner Fascinating if you're a scholar of politics and appreciate that Sec. LaHood is a rare breed of Republicans that truly believes in bipartisanship as a means to get the government's work done.
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Seeking Bipartisanship: My Life in Politics, by Ray LaHood, Frank H. Mackaman
