Professor Wellstone Goes to Washington: The Inside Story of a Grassroots U.S. Senate Campaign

By Dennis J. McGrath and Dane Smith

Book Overview

How did a fortysomething college professor and outspoken liberal activist manage to unseat from the Senate one of the nation's most skillful politicians and money raisers? This engaging insiders' account of Paul Wellstone's successful grassroots Senate campaign explains it all for you. Written by two political reporters for the Minneapolis StarTribune who covered the Wellstone campaign from its inception, Professor Wellstone Goes to Washington provides a revealing and evocative behind-the-scenes look at a memorable chapter in U.S. Senate campaign history.

When Paul Wellstone announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate at an inner-city community center in early 1989, no one thought he had a chance. His opponent, Republican Senator Rudy Boschwitz, was a popular politician and a celebrated master of the two most important skills of modern political campaigning, fundraising and television advertising. But to the surprise of many, Wellstone, a student of grassroots organizing techniques, succeeded in putting together a campaign that served as a harbinger and a model for the anti-establishment populism of the 1990s. He rode to an unbelievable victory as the only Senate challenger to defeat an incumbent that year.

Professor Wellstone Goes to Washington is must reading for anyone interested in American politics. It details the most stunning upset in Minnesota's modern political history, and illustrates why Wellstone, whom Mother Jones magazine described as "the first 1960s radical elected to the U.S. Senate," has become one of the Senate's most notable, quotable, and controversial figures.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0816626634
• ISBN13: 9780816626632
• Release Date: March 1995
• Publisher: University of Minnesota Press
• Length: 328 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.9" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

great

The book that i received was in brand new perfect condition. without a page missing or even a bent edge, this is exactly what i was looking for. It even arrived in a timely manner which was very comforting. I would not hesitate buying from here again! Absolutely flawless!

Interesting & Multi-Faceted

This book is interesting and worthwhile in two ways: first, because it does press Paul Wellstone's [fabulous] politics, and second, because it is a well written documentary of a fascinating campaign. Anyone interested in progressive politics or innovative campaigning is advised to read.

An uplifting story of one man's campaign for US Senate.

This is an excellent book that portrays what a politician should be. Plain and simple, if you like real politics, READ THIS BOOK!

An excellent inside story of a truly amazing campaign

As Paul Wellstone pursues a long-shot presidential bid in the year 2000, it is important to see how he pulled another upset- back in 1990, when no one ever thought he could win. This book shows how a progressive populist campaign can take on the powers-that-be, and win!!