The whole damn deal : Robert Strauss and the art of politics / Kathryn J. McGarr.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McGarr, Kathryn J.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Diplomats--United States--Biography.

Diplomats.

Politicians--United States--Biography.

Politicians.

Political consultants--United States--Biography.

Political consultants.

United States--Politics and government--1945-1989.

United States.

Democratic Party (U.S.)--History--20th century.

Democratic Party (U.S.).

Democratic Party (U.S.)--Biography.

Strauss, Robert S.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (587 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : PublicAffairs, 2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"Robert S. Strauss was for many decades, the quintessential political operator. He played a pivotal role in US politics for more than fifty years, serving as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, US Trade Representative, and US Ambassador to the USSR and later Russia. He has advised and represented many US presidents for both major political parties. Yet, we know very little of this man who has been so influential behind the scenes. This is the story of how Bobby Strauss, a poor, Jewish boy from West Texas, became Robert S. Strauss, a lawyer and politician of national and international renown. Strauss entered national politics when Beltway outsiders were planning their takeover of the Democratic Party in the aftermath of the divisive 1968 Chicago convention. After the 1972 nomination and subsequent defeat of George McGovern polarized the old and new factions of the Democratic Party, Strauss became chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He managed to create a coalition of old guard conservatives, minorities, youth, and representatives of both labor and big business that resembled the patchwork Democratic Party we still have to this day. Strauss excelled at balancing accommodation and persuasion. He was proud to be an insider and a politician, even when those were considered dirty words, because he enjoyed the negotiations that politics then entailed. His Texas charm and political savvy won over both sides of the aisle in Washington. This book will describe what went on in the smoke-filled rooms, and in the bathrooms of the hotel suites, "where the real decisions were made," as Strauss likes to say. It is a vivid portrait of a bygone era of civilized Washington politics, when Republicans and Democrats worked together without fear of criticism. "-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Title Page; Dedication; Epigraph; Introduction; CHAPTER 1 - HERE COMES THE GOVERNOR; CHAPTER 2 - LITTLE BIG MAN ON CAMPUS; CHAPTER 3 - AMBITIOUS YOUNG MEN; CHAPTER 4 - A DOG THAT'LL HUNT; CHAPTER 5 - A BUNCH OF GODDAMN FOOLS; CHAPTER 6 - BATTLE-ROYAL; CHAPTER 7 - MAKING LOVE TO A GORILLA; CHAPTER 8 - DRY RUN; CHAPTER 9 - HELL BENT ON VICTORY; CHAPTER 10 - TRANSITION; CHAPTER 11 - A BIG INTERNATIONAL POKER GAME; CHAPTER 12 - CARTER'S MR. FIX-IT; CHAPTER 13 - REVOLVING DOOR; CHAPTER 14 - BOB STRAUSS BECOMES AN INSTITUTION; CHAPTER 15 - THE LAST AMBASSADOR; EPILOGUE; Acknowledgments

ABBREVIATIONS USED IN NOTESNOTES; INDEX; Copyright Page

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-283-28715-3

9786613287151

1-58648-878-3

OCLC:

759037116