Freshman Orientation: House Style and Home Style / Edition 1

by Edward I. Sidlow

Overview

Upon their arrival in Washington D.C., every member of the “freshman class” received a tote bag sporting a picture of the capitol building that contained a three-hundred-plus page document called the 2004 House Manual: New Member Orientation, 109th Congress. This mind-numbing guide details the kinds of expenditures members can and can’t be reimbursed for, the kinds of mailings that can and can’t be paid for with taxpayer money, the use of various types of office equipment, a section on house rules, and even some rules for ethics. Mr. Schwarz goes to Washington. Enjoy orientation!

In this brief, engaging case study, Edward I. Sidlow tells the story of what it takes to make the challenging transition from candidate to newly minted member of Congress. Following the triumphs and trials of candidate and then freshman congressman Joe Schwarz, a moderate Republican from Michigan’s 7th district, Sidlow gives students an inside look at Schwarz as he sets up shop on the Hill, gets familiar with the political environment, becomes involved in various policy areas, jockeys for choice committee assignments, develops a “style” that allows him to communicate effectively with other members while staying in touch with constituents at home, and a host of other issues that are central to legislative life. Sidlow uses an appealing first-hand reportorial and narrative style to describe events, while effortlessly incorporating data and information on specific topics from the current literature so that students can see how Schwarz’s experience compares with others. With photos and other illustrations from the Schwarz team, Sidlow brings the congressional experience to life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781933116655
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	12/15/2006
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	156
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Edward Sidlow is a professor of political science at Eastern Michigan University. He received his Ph.D. from Ohio State University. He is author of Challenging the Incumbent: An Underdog’s Undertaking, an introduction to American government text, America at Odds, Fifth Edition (co-written with Beth Henschen). His articles have also appeared in such journals as Policy Studies Review, Journal of Law and Politics, Journal of General Education, Western Political Quarterly, News for Teachers of Political Science, and College Teaching. Sidlow is the recipient of numerous teaching awards.

Table of Contents

Preface     vii
Prologue: Election Night, 2004     1
Michigan's Seventh Congressional District, 2004: The Primary Season and the Candidates     5
Open-Seat Battle: Electing a New Member of Congress     21
Setting Up Shop     37
Learning the Ropes     59
Representation: You Know It When You See It     83
Meanwhile, Back in the District     99
Playing the Policy Game: It Could Be a Matter of Life or Death     121
Reelection Politics     139
Postscript: Election Day: November 7, 2006     155
Notes     157
Index     163