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Primary Colors opens with a quote be Machiavelli, Men as a whole judge more with their eyes than with their hands. This is a great statement that sums up a good deal about Jack Stanton, the presidential candidate that this book follows. The handshake is the threshold act of politics and Jack Stanton knows it. He loves to go out, meet the people and shake hands with them. When he lost the New Hampshire primary he was not upset at all. A large number of voters on leaving the polls said the deciding factor was that they had met Stanton.
Unfortunately though the people began to judge Stanton by what they had read in the papers. If the voters had judged Jack Stanton with their hands, a handshake, instead of their eyes, he would have easily become President because everyone that met him loved him. The book is told through the eyes of Henry Burton. He is a young, well educated and brilliant political strategist who formally served as a Congressional aide.
He is also well know for being the grandson of a beloved Martian Luther King like figure of the civil rights era. Burton had resigned as a Congressional aide because he longed to work for someone he could believe in. He is consistently searching to rise above cynicism and make a positive and lasting political and social contribution. He reluctantly serves as the campaign manager for unknown southern Governor Jack Stanton. Susan Stanton convinces Burton that the fight will be uphill, but worth it. Throughout the Presidential race Burton flip-flops between enthusiasm and disillusionment.
Each time Burton's faith in Stanton was tested, it was soon renewed when he saw the way Stanton could mesmerize Jack Stanton does have his faults, but he does seem to be the person that Burton and other Americans can believe in. He is sincerely dedicated to making American lives just a little bit better and he truly feels everyones pain. So what, if he is a womanizer and has more skeletons in his closet then his staffers dare find out about? And so Burton and many others join the crusade to make Jack Stanton President.
Richard Jemmons is a loud political strategist who proudly proclaims that hes a redneck and tells Burton that he is blacker then him. Libby Holden, the dustbuster, has recently been released from a mental hospital and has shown up to clean up the Governors mess. She is lesbian who has a loud mouth and occasionally carries a gun to back up her opinions. Libby is dedicated to the Stanton's and is just as idealistic as Burton. It was no wonder the two quickly became friends.
Daisy Green is a nicotine-puffing New York media consultant who remains Henry Burton's girlfriend even after Stanton fires her. Throughout the campaign mud is constantly being hurled at Jack Stanton. His faithful staff are kept busy around the clock trying to access the damage and prevent future atrocities. As the campaign heats up Stanton's clan are beset with a number of moral and ethical dilemmas.
Many people considered Primary Colors reminiscent of President Bill Clintons initial presidential campaign in 1992. The book was such a phenomenal best-seller, partially because so many journalists inside and outside of Washington, D. C. were running around trying to find the identity of the author. Besides the fact that each of Stanton's staffers are very much like those of Clintons there are inside touches that are quit accurate to Clintons.
The way Jack handles Susan Stanton when she is upset is pretty much the way Bill handles Hilary. Also the conversations between Stanton and NY Governor Orlando Ohio are almost the same as between Clinton and Mario Cuomo. But most important is that the book captures Clintons complexity. The book is generous about his enthusiasm for politics and there are precise observations about the Clinton technique, like the handshake. Primary Colors was published three years ago and told us a good deal about Clinton that we knew. On the other hand it told us elements of Clinton character that we did not know, like his womanizing.
Today we know more intimate details of Clintons sex life then we do of some of our friends. When it comes down to it, whether or not the book is about Clinton is irrelevant. What is important is that the book is educational as it shows how political campaigns are run and how candidates and those around them handle unimaginable adversity on an almost daily basis. I knew a campaign would be chaotic but I never imagined it to be like this... Stanley Kauffmann of The New Republic said isnt it worthwhile to elect an imperfect man of good intent, even if by imperfect means, so that his intent can operate? This poses a question that only a couple of decades ago we did not have to answer.
This question repeatedly comes up in the book. Jack Stanton had good intent, but was not so perfect. Matthew Cooper put it perfectly when he said, whoever wrote it, thanks -- -finally, the modern campaign - and Clinton - have the novelist that they deserve. This book shows the true side to political campaigns.
Suddenly you look at Stanton/Clinton in a different light when you know the way he acts when there are no voters around. I would recommend Primary Colors to those that already know the political life of America. This book shows a side of politicians and their aides that is not so pleasant. People that are not used to this sort of thing might be disgusted by the way politicians hide their bad side and suddenly brighten up when they walk into a room filled with voters. This book could very easily place suspicion in everything that a political candidate says. Then again you do not have to worry about this book having that effect on people because President Clinton has already given us reason to be suspect of everything he Primary Colors is a great book that taught me a good deal about political campaigns.
I was really taken with the character of Henry Burton. Burton was a good guy that just wanted someone to believe in and I felt like I could believe anything he said. Jack Stanton at times seemed just like another politician telling us anything to get him in office. But then there was Henry Burton who worked for and believed in Stanton and so I felt compelled to do the same.
A constant theme in the book was Burton's search within Stanton to see if he really was a good guy. The only problem I had with the book was that it left me hanging. It just ended, sort of like the author forgot to send the last chapter to the publisher. It ends with Burton trying to resign from the campaign, but Stanton not accepting it.
We never find out if Burton rejoins the campaign and better yet was it worth it. One question boggled my mind for a few days after reading the book. Did Jack Stanton win the Presidency and was Henry Burton able to believe in him? Cooper, Matthew. The New Republic. January 29, 1996 v 214 n 5 p 11 Kauffmann, Stanley.
The New Republic. April 20, 1998 v 218 n 16 Bibliography: Cooper, Matthew. The New Republic. January 29, 1996 v 214 n 5 p 11 (2) Kauffmann, Stanley. The New Republic. April 20, 1998 v 218 n 16 p 24 (2)
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Research essay sample on Primary Colors Political Campaigns
