Born to Run: Origins of the Political Career / Edition 1

by Ronald Keith Gaddie author, Regulating Wetland Protection: Environmental Federalism and the Sta, David L. Boren

Overview

What makes young aspiring politicians take the leap and enter the electoral arena? Born to Run tells the stories of nine young politicians from all walks of life who enter races at the state and local levels in Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Georgia, Nebraska, and Maine. Across the board, Gaddie finds a great range of motivations, strategies, and success rates among his carefully selected group. He doesn't rely strictly on interviews (although they provide lots of colorful detail), but hit the campaign trail along with his subjects to observe firsthand the pressures and challenges with which a new candidate is faced. Five years of fieldwork are amplified by survey data on candidates, legislators, and activists that bear out in greater numbers what Gaddie discovered on the ground. Working in the tradition of Richard Fenno's esteemed Home Style, Born to Run contributes to developing a more comprehensive model of political ambition that accounts for the origins of aspiration and the uncertainties that accompany every political career, but especially the early ones. Born to Run is irresistible for students of the same age as some of the candidates, invaluable to anyone who has studied campaigns and elections from the top down, and intriguing to anyone who wants insight into some potential rising stars within both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742519282
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/19/2003
Series:	Campaigning American Style
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.08(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.53(d)

About the Author

Ronald Keith Gaddie is professor of political science at the University of Oklahoma.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Foreword by David L. Boren Chapter 2 I Political Ambitions, Political Careers Chapter 3 II Lifecycles and Ambitions Chapter 4 III A Campaign (and a Precampaign) Chapter 5 IV The Life and Times of Joe from Minocqua Chapter 6 V Learning to Legislate Chapter 7 VI Match and Rematch Chapter 8 VII Legacy Chapter 9 VIII Dirigo Chapter 10 IX The Man in the Middle Chapter 11 X The Man with the Plan Chapter 12 XI Ambition's Edge Part 13 Appendix: A Note on the Research Technique

Editorial Reviews

Keith Gaddie brings scholarship, a keen observer's eye, and political savvy to these fascinating, close-up studies of nine young politicians—their ambitions, calculations, campaigns, triumphs, and disappointments. For any young person thinking about getting involved in electoral politics and wondering, 'What's it like?' this engaging book is the place to begin.

Richard Fenno

Keith Gaddie has done us a great service in undertaking the extensive effort that was required to research and write this book. He points us toward the vital importance of a qualitative understanding of politics.. .. He shows us that the American politcal system has the great virtue of attracting young citizens to public life and giving them a chance to succeed.

Booknotes

Given that America's weak organizational parties leave much of politics subject to the ambition of potential officeholders, this book offers fresh insight into a much neglected question in American campaign and electoral politics. Highly recommended.

Choice Reviews

Keith Gaddie has written a wonderful book about the new era of self-starting candidates and their experiences in campaigning and governing at the state legislative level. It is a fast-paced combination of intriguing personal stories, detailed research, and insightful conclusions.. .. Most definitely, two thumbs up.

Rhodes Cook Rhodes Cook

In Born to Run, Keith Gaddie displays a solid knowledge of political science, American history, and grass-roots politics as it's actually practiced in such disparate locales as Georgia, Oklahoma, Maine, and Wisconsin. He's also got a good ear for the personal narrative in this highly readable and very informative book.

Hastings Wyman

Keith Gaddie has written a wonderful book about the new era of self-starting candidates and their experiences in campaigning and governing at the state legislative level. It is a fast-paced combination of intriguing personal stories, detailed research, and insightful conclusions.. .. Most definitely, two thumbs up.

Rhodes Cook

Given that America's weak organizational parties leave much of politics subject to the ambition of potential officeholders, this book offers fresh insight into a much neglected question in American campaign and electoral politics. Highly recommended.

Choice

Given that America's weak organizational parties leave much of politics subject to the ambition of potential officeholders, this book offers fresh insight into a much neglected question in American campaign and electoral politics. Highly recommended.

CHOICE

Keith Gaddie has written a wonderful book about the new era of self-starting candidates and their experiences in campaigning and governing at the state legislative level. It is a fast-paced combination of intriguing personal stories, detailed research, and insightful conclusions. . . . Most definitely, two thumbs up.--Rhodes Cook, author of America Votes and former senior political writer, Congressional Quarterly

In Born to Run, Keith Gaddie displays a solid knowledge of political science, American history, and grass-roots politics as it's actually practiced in such disparate locales as Georgia, Oklahoma, Maine, and Wisconsin. He's also got a good ear for the personal narrative in this highly readable and very informative book.--Hastings Wyman, Editor/Publisher, Southern Political Report

Keith Gaddie brings scholarship, a keen observer's eye, and political savvy to these fascinating, close-up studies of nine young politicians--their ambitions, calculations, campaigns, triumphs, and disappointments. For any young person thinking about getting involved in electoral politics and wondering, 'What's it like?' this engaging book is the place to begin.--Richard Fenno, University of Rochester

From the Publisher