Two respected Washington pundits offer a forward-looking history of women in politics -- from envelope-stuffing in the 1960s to the prospect of a woman president in the next decade. A striking aspect of our new century's first election season has been the vitality American women are injecting into the proceedings -- as candidates, strategists, and voters. In the 1990s, their influence redefined the nature of politics. Bill Clinton won his elections largely on the strength of women's votes, and Senator Bob Packwood was compelled to resign in the face of women's outrage over his sexual misconduct. So how did we get here?
From journalists Eleanor Clift and Tom Brazaitis comes a story of passion, determination, and triumph. They chronicle women's remarkable progress -- from their coffee-fetching days to their ability to make or break candidates in the new millennium -- in chapters such as "A Call to Arms" and "The Rules for Women." From there, the authors examine today's prospects and look ahead in "The Governor Gap," "Hurrying History," and "Women in Waiting," identifying those most likely to have an impact on the future. Highlighting all the key players, from Elizabeth Dole and Dianne Feinstein to Hillary Clinton and Christine Todd Whitman, the book also introduces up-and-comers with superstar potential. And in the prescient "Coda: A How-to for Women," Clift and Brazaitis provide twelve essential tips for women seeking higher office.
Certain to spark controversy, "Madam President" is an unrivaled look at the new political world.
