Fire-Breathing Liberal: How I Learned to Survive (and Thrive) in the Contact Sport of Congress
There's a reason The Nation, America's leading progressive magazine, named Robert Wexler the country's "Most Valuable Congressman." It's the same reason right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh refers to him as "disgusting." It's because for the last twelve years Wexler has been Congress's most outspoken liberal — taking on George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice, Alberto Gonzales, General David Petraeus, and, when necessary, even his own party.

In Fire-Breathing Liberal, Wexler brings readers onto the floor of the House and puts them at the center of some of the last decade's biggest controversies. He passionately describes how he defended Bill Clinton from impeachment and how he stood up against the Bush brothers when the "butterfly" ballots in his Florida district wrongly decided the 2000 presidential election. He also offers an honest and brutal assessment of the Iraq war and explains why he has become a leader in the movement to impeach Vice President Cheney. And, with warmth and wit, Wexler shares some of the funniest stories from the corridors of Congress, including how he became The Colbert Report's most talked-about guest.

This is a remarkably candid first-person account of recent political history that shows government as it has rarely been seen — by a Democrat in the middle of the storms.

1114975855
Fire-Breathing Liberal: How I Learned to Survive (and Thrive) in the Contact Sport of Congress
There's a reason The Nation, America's leading progressive magazine, named Robert Wexler the country's "Most Valuable Congressman." It's the same reason right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh refers to him as "disgusting." It's because for the last twelve years Wexler has been Congress's most outspoken liberal — taking on George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice, Alberto Gonzales, General David Petraeus, and, when necessary, even his own party.

In Fire-Breathing Liberal, Wexler brings readers onto the floor of the House and puts them at the center of some of the last decade's biggest controversies. He passionately describes how he defended Bill Clinton from impeachment and how he stood up against the Bush brothers when the "butterfly" ballots in his Florida district wrongly decided the 2000 presidential election. He also offers an honest and brutal assessment of the Iraq war and explains why he has become a leader in the movement to impeach Vice President Cheney. And, with warmth and wit, Wexler shares some of the funniest stories from the corridors of Congress, including how he became The Colbert Report's most talked-about guest.

This is a remarkably candid first-person account of recent political history that shows government as it has rarely been seen — by a Democrat in the middle of the storms.

22.99 In Stock
Fire-Breathing Liberal: How I Learned to Survive (and Thrive) in the Contact Sport of Congress

Fire-Breathing Liberal: How I Learned to Survive (and Thrive) in the Contact Sport of Congress

Fire-Breathing Liberal: How I Learned to Survive (and Thrive) in the Contact Sport of Congress

Fire-Breathing Liberal: How I Learned to Survive (and Thrive) in the Contact Sport of Congress

Paperback(First Edition)

$22.99 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
  • PICK UP IN STORE
    Check Availability at Nearby Stores

Related collections and offers


Overview

There's a reason The Nation, America's leading progressive magazine, named Robert Wexler the country's "Most Valuable Congressman." It's the same reason right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh refers to him as "disgusting." It's because for the last twelve years Wexler has been Congress's most outspoken liberal — taking on George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice, Alberto Gonzales, General David Petraeus, and, when necessary, even his own party.

In Fire-Breathing Liberal, Wexler brings readers onto the floor of the House and puts them at the center of some of the last decade's biggest controversies. He passionately describes how he defended Bill Clinton from impeachment and how he stood up against the Bush brothers when the "butterfly" ballots in his Florida district wrongly decided the 2000 presidential election. He also offers an honest and brutal assessment of the Iraq war and explains why he has become a leader in the movement to impeach Vice President Cheney. And, with warmth and wit, Wexler shares some of the funniest stories from the corridors of Congress, including how he became The Colbert Report's most talked-about guest.

This is a remarkably candid first-person account of recent political history that shows government as it has rarely been seen — by a Democrat in the middle of the storms.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780312561741
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date: 07/07/2009
Edition description: First Edition
Pages: 296
Product dimensions: 5.70(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Robert Wexler is a six-term Democratic congressman representing Florida's 19th district. A member of the House Judiciary, Foreign Affairs, and Financial Services committees, he was named "Most Valuable Congressman" by The Nation in 2007 and one of "The 50 Most Effective Legislators in Congress" by Congressional Quarterly. He and his wife, Laurie, have three children.

David Fisher is an author and journalist who has co-written fifteen New York Times bestsellers. He most recently co-authored William Shatner's memoir, Up Till Now.

Table of Contents


Introduction: It's Time to Be Mad as Hell     xi
Capitol Warfare: When Do Liberals Have Their Surge?     1
Will Work for Votes: A Campaign Education     19
Mr. Wexler Goes to Washington     45
Oval Office Politics     57
How the Gingrich Stole Congress     65
House Rules: How a Bill (Rarely) Becomes a Law     75
Rhetorical Wars and the Tragedy of Terri Schiavo     93
The Colbert Report: It's a Fun Thing to Do     101
Voting in Congress: The Hill Has "Ayes"     107
Have Passport, Will Travel: Foreign Policy in Action     127
Taking Care of Your People     151
Anthrax and Hurricanes: When Disaster Hits Home     161
He Betrayed His Wife, Not the Country: The Impeachment of Bill Clinton     171
Let My People Vote: The Stolen Election of 2000     195
The Paper Chase: Making Your Vote Count     215
Congress as Lapdog: The GOP's Oversight of Oversight     225
He Betrayed His Country, Not His Wife: Why Cheney (and Probably Bush) Should Be Impeached     235
Acknowledgments     249
Index     253
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews