Politicians Are People, Too

by Richard Benedetto

Overview

Across the span of his 35-year career reporting on local, state, and national politics, USA TODAY White House correspondent Richard Benedetto has interviewed and closely watched a wide variety of politicians and public servants. This memoir and personal reflection considers the coverage and treatment of politics and politicians by today's media and offers suggestions for improvement. Benedetto argues that despite the often-cynical news coverage, most politicians are good people who, like all human beings, have strengths and weaknesses. He believes politicians deserve to be praised when they do well, as much as criticized when they fail. Politicians Are People, Too celebrates and offers personal insights on many of the thousands of public figures Benedetto has encountered—an eclectic list of politicians, public servants, and even a few celebrities, including George Wallace, Hillary and Bill Clinton, Dan Quayle, Mario Cuomo, Gary Hart, Paul Newman, Spiro Agnew, George W. Bush, Henry Cisneros, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Ted Williams.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761834229
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	04/24/2006
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	182
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.56(h) x 0.56(d)

About the Author

Richard Benedetto has more than three decades of experience in journalism and political reporting. A member of USA Today's founding staff in 1982, his Washington assignments have included the White House and national politics.

What People are Saying About This

Stephen Hess

"American journalism could be a lot better if every aspiring reporter would read Richard Benedetto's memoir-It's that good!"
—Distinguished Research Professor of Media and Public Affairs, The George Washington University

Robert D. McClure

"Richard Benedetto has written a memorable love story about politicians and politics, family and heritage, reporters and newspapers. Armed with the enduring power of fairness, civility and charity, Benedetto provides a powerful reminder about what makes American politics work: All politics is local and personal, and politicians keep their end of the democratic bargain at least as often as 'the people' do."
—Professor of Political Science and Public Affairs, Maxwell School, Syracuse University

A. Kenneth Ciongoli

"Richard Benedetto has the eyes and ears of a seasoned journalist and his fairness is exceptional. This memoir, particularly the first chapter about his Italian American background, warmly tells the reader about the wonderful values that shaped him and his great storytelling ability. This book reminds me of those several times that I have been attracted by a headline and then surprised by the balance and objectivity of the article. I looked at the byline and, of course, it was Benedetto."
—Chairman, National Italian American Foundation

Editorial Reviews

Richard Benedetto has the eyes and ears of a seasoned journalist and his fairness is exceptional. This memoir, particularly the first chapter about his Italian American background, warmly tells the reader about the wonderful values that shaped him and his great storytelling ability. This book reminds me of those several times that I have been attracted by a headline and then surprised by the balance and objectivity of the article. I looked at the byline and, of course, it was Benedetto.

A. Kenneth Ciongoli

Richard Benedetto has written a memorable love story about politicians and politics, family and heritage, reporters and newspapers. Armed with the enduring power of fairness, civility and charity,…Benedetto provides a powerful reminder about what makes American politics work: All politics is local and personal, and politicians keep their end of the democratic bargain at least as often as 'the people' do.

Robert D. McClure

Politicians are People, Too is a triumph and should be read by everybody who wants to understand political reporting, politicians and the political system beyond today's headlines news....A refreshing note of anti-cynicism and testimony one can be a journalist for a lifetime and still not give up youthful enthusiasm for serving the public trust.

David D. Perlmutter

The political reporting career that produced the rich material for Benedetto's book started in Buffalo with his coverage of George Wallace's 1968 presidential campaign and eventually brought him to Washington in 1982 to help launch the Gannett Company's USA Today and then serve as its White House and national political correspondent. Many of the vignettes that fill the book are drawn from the years in the White House covering Presidents George H.W. Bush (with whom Benedetto jogged on occasion), Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, and from his travels as a member of the White House press corps.

U.S. - Mike Brown

Politicians Are People, Too is [Richard Benedetto's] delightful retrospective on 35 years of covering government leaders...This is not a dull political memoir, but ...a stimulating reflection on politicians, famous and not-so-famous, who just so happen to be people, too. Best of all, it's woven tightly around a journalistic ethic that must never be compromised as we go about this business of reporting the news...A job well done.

The Utica Observer-Dispatch - Dave Dudajek

American journalism could be a lot better if every aspiring reporter would read Richard Benedetto's memoir—It's that good!

Stephen Hess

This is a terrifically easy book to read.

John Hanchette

A unique treatment of politicians, stunningly different from the typical mostly negative approach.

Mario Cuomo

Politicians Are People, Too is [Richard Benedetto's] delightful retrospective on 35 years of covering government leaders...This is not a dull political memoir, but ...a stimulating reflection on politicians, famous and not-so-famous, who just so happen to be people, too. Best of all, it's woven tightly around a journalistic ethic that must never be compromised as we go about this business of reporting the news...A job well done.
— Dave Dudajek

The Utica Observer-Dispatch