Christie Whitman for the People: A Political Biography [Hardcover]

Sandy McClure (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1996

Sandy McClure traces Whitman's roots back to the days when she was a young tomboy plotting pranks at her parents' rural estate in northwestern New Jersey. She provides an inside look at Whitman's family heritage: the impact of her politically active grandparents, her role as the daughter of Republican party movers and shakers, her early years at the Republican National Committee, her marriage to the grandson of a New York governor, and her devotion to her role as a mother. This story includes the controversies of Whitman's early years in local and state politics and tells how her near defeat of U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley, the state's most popular politician, launched her bid for the statehouse.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Governor Whitman of New Jersey, whom many consider to be a leading contender for the number-two spot on the 1996 GOP ticket, was born in 1946 in New York City into a prominent, "old-money clique" Republican family. Brought up on her parent's N.J. estate called "Pontefract" (which we are solemnly told means "Broken Bridge" in Latin), she grew up as a "willful, spoiled child, a homely tomboy" who was rebellious and a poor student. At college, she supported America's involvement in the Vietnam War and was pro-choice, but her real "passions were ice cream and dancer and screen star Fred Astaire." After working at various Republican political positions, she married in 1974 and bore two children. The author discusses the controversies of Whitman's political life (she voted to deposit millions of dollars into a bank in which she and her family had substantial financial interests); her near-upset against Senator Bill Bradley in 1990; and her victory over Governor Jim Florio in 1993. Filled with much Whitman minutiae (as a child, she had a dog named "Ike"; she loves horses), McClure, a local reporter, has written a political bio that will supply Whitman supporters with much to cheer about and her detractors with more to jeer at. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The 1996 avalanche of campaign biographies is careening toward libraries, carrying forth this portrait of a darkhorse veep possibility for the Republicans. Whitman burst to prominence first by nearly unseating New Jersey's popular Senator Bill Bradley and then by edging out Governor Jim Florio by running on a tax-slashing platform. The day-to-day anecdotes of that latter 1993 election bulk up half of the text, for which author McClure laid a foundation as a Trenton reporter assigned to the candidate. Consequently, tactical detail predominates in the ads broadcast, the polls taken, and charges debated. As had many of her opponents in previous elections, Florio attacked Whitman for her inherited wealth; voters, however, seemed less concerned about her millions than their thousands, which Florio took away in his tax increases. Apart from the frenetic electioneering, McClure provides Whitman's biographical background of growing up on a 232-acre estate, advancement in New Jersey's Republican politics, and marriage and family. A supportive, first-draft introduction to a telegenic woman whom the political fates could elevate even higher. Gilbert Taylor

Product Details

• Hardcover: 282 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books; First edition (January 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573920142
• ISBN-13: 978-1573920148
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,245,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Needs to be updated! You can't help but like Christie!, April 3, 2008

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Sylviastel - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Christie Whitman for the People: A Political Biography (Hardcover)

Before Christie Todd Whitman became head of the Environtmental Protection Agency during President George W. Bush's first term, Christie Todd Whitman was New Jersey's first female governor. This book actually is quite intriguing at times about her privileged life. She was born into wealth and privilege but prefers the farming life in the country to the city. She hates wearing dresses and skirts and would rather wear jeans and t-shirts. She is quite appealing because she lacks that pretension. She loves farm animals and grew up in West New Jersey in the privileged, wealthy and prominent areas. Before she got into politics, she was a mother and wife dedicated to her husband and kids. I feel bad that I didn't vote for her second term but she won anyway. I regret that what came after her was the unbearable, scarred McGreevey years. The author writes about Whitman and humanizes her character. Years later after September 11, 2001, Whitman faced an uphill battle being blamed for the illnesses and sickness from the first responders. Some questioned Bush's appointment but she does a farming background and natural love for the rural country. I felt bad for her because it was really New York City's Mayor Rudolph Giuliani that should have been under the heat of the congressional panel. While Christie is no longer active in politics, she is trying to save the party of self-destruction. One of the reasons that I voted democratic was because the Republican is too far right-wing and conservative. I like Christie and I wish her well in the future.