Inside the Statehouse: Lessons from the Speaker

By Ralph G. Wright

"Don′t believe any of these guys that try to tell you that they ran for office because a lot of folks begged them. I ran nine times, and though I was aware of lots of people who wished I hadn′t, I never recall being begged . . ."

And so begins Inside the Statehouse, Ralph G. Wright′s first-hand account of what life in state legislatures is really like. Wright takes us behind the scenes through the processes and after-hours exploits of the Vermont State House. Serving as Speaker for a decade, Wright chronicles the ups and downs of his career with insight, humor, and a bluntness that will leave students both enlightened and entertained. He offers a range of provocative lessons from sixteen years in the legislature--from how to lead your party to victory to why your best friend might vote against you.

An introduction by Alan Rosenthal sets the stage, giving students important context for how to place and process Wright's experiences within the larger study of state politics. From there on out, Inside the Statehouse illuminates the edicts and anomalies of representation, lawmaking, and balancing the executive branch in a personal and humanizing way. Wright details his experiences working with three governors: Madeleine Kunin (Dem.), the first woman governor in Vermont; Richard Snelling (Rep.), who became Wright′s close friend and ally; and Howard Dean (Dem.), the prominent 2004 presidential candidate. Through the successes, pratfalls, and pathos of a remarkable legislative career, students discover what it means and what it takes to succeed in the statehouse.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1568029497
• ISBN13: 9781568029498
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: CQ Press
• Length: 236 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Candid and Informative

While Wright has clearly written a book that will appeal strictly to those passionate about learning the political process, his style and tone make for pleasant reading. His frank characterizations of his fellow legislators and the striking personalities he brings forth onto the page add laughter and authentic emotion to a subject matter often plagued by statistics and overly-verbose language. I recommend this book to anyone willing to walk into their Statehouse and wonder, "What's going on here? How does this really work? What's important? and What does it take to get here?"