Raising Hell for Justice: The Washington Battles of a Heartland Progressive [Hardcover]

David Obey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2007

David Obey has in his nearly forty years in the U.S. House of Representatives worked to bring economic and social justice to America’s working families. In 2007 he assumed the chair of the Appropriations Committee and is positioned to pursue his priority concerns for affordable health care, education, environmental protection, and a foreign policy consistent with American democratic ideals.
     Here, in his autobiography, Obey looks back on his journey in politics beginning with his early years in the Wisconsin Legislature, when Wisconsin moved through eras of shifting balance between Republicans and Democrats. On a national level Obey traces, as few others have done, the dramatic changes in the workings of the U.S. Congress since his first election to the House in 1969. He discusses his own central role in the evolution of Congress and ethics reforms and his view of the recent Bush presidency—crucial chapters in our democracy, of interest to all who observe politics and modern U.S. history.

 

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Dave Obey’s story reminds us that in a city of quicksand it is still possible to stand on principle as a servant of your ideals and the public.”—Bill Moyers, author of Moyers on America

“More than a shrewd and candid inside look at Congress, written by a gutsy battler for liberal causes and a man with a rich appreciation for the foibles of his colleague, Obey has produced a great testament to the enduring values of our system of representative government, a reminder of what public service can really mean when rendered by a person of courage and character.”—David S. Broder, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the Washington Post

“Raising Hell for Justice is a powerful and enlightening political memoir by one of America’s all-time great legislators. Obey is one of a vanishing breed in Congress whose entire career in public life has been committed to both advancing a principled agenda and working constructively with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to hammer out agreements that advance that agenda. Obey burns with a passion sparked by his childhood experience growing up in an economically vulnerable working class family and channeled into politics and policy-making by his embrace of Catholic social justice and La Follette progressivism. His compelling memoir demonstrates how ennobling and satisfying a career in the first branch of government can be.”—Thomas E. Mann, W. Averell Harriman Chair and senior fellow in governance studies, Brookings Institution

About the Author

David R. Obey (D-Wausau) is the longest-serving member of the U.S. Congress in Wisconsin history and is the current chair of the House Appropriations Committee.  In the 1980s and early 1990s, he chaired the Foreign Operations Subcommittee, which funded America’s economic and political response to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press; 1 edition (August 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0299225402
• ISBN-13: 978-0299225407
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,001,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There Are Good and Decent People in Politics, October 19, 2007

By 

Steve Brist "Steve" (Madison, Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Raising Hell for Justice: The Washington Battles of a Heartland Progressive (Hardcover)

This is a great book that should be read by anyone interested in Wisconsin politics and history in the last half of the 20th Century and beyond. It also gives an inside view of 40 years of a life in Washington D.C. as a member of Congress. Dave Obey is a unique leader, one who is confident enough to speak his mind and stand for his principles even when the wind seems to be blowing in his face. I admire that year in and year out he has fought for so many changes that help the average working and farming families that he represents, in spite of the fact that it seems that the local press doesn't always mention those significant accomplishments. I especially enjoyed the stories about his Wisconsin legislative and political colleagues, such as Harvey Dueholm, Bob Huber, Linda Reivitz, Frank Nikolay as well as the stories of Obey's early career. The stories about his family are especially touching and show that his roots are with those in our society who aren't born with a silver spoon in their mouths. I am proud that Dave Obey has represented Wisconsin and the Nation with such vigor and tenacity. I highly recommend this book, it is a great way to learn why our country is in the mess that it is in and what we can do to share the American dream with everyone.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read from a Great Legislator, March 25, 2008

By 

Marc Korman (Maryland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Raising Hell for Justice: The Washington Battles of a Heartland Progressive (Hardcover)

Obey's autobiography is a great book about Wisconsin politics in the 60s and 70s, Congress, and American policies over the past thirty years. The early sections are the richest, as Obey takes real time to talk about the state of play in Wisconsin politics and the local issues. Not being a Wisconsin resident, I was surprised how interesting I found the initial sections. Unfortunately, Obey's focus shifts so fully to Congress later in the book we do not hear much about developments in Wisconsin politics, redistricting, or most of his Congressional races. Of course, Obey's focus may have shifted as well.

The sections on Congress offer great insight into the progressive and reformist movement in the Congress. Obey's insight into most progressives not being operational seems dead on, but he certaintly offers a counter to that as someone who not just hopes for results, but gets things done. The book also offers a reminder of how many people in our government help mold policy decisions. Something that took place during the Nixon Administration for example had many people shaping it.

The autobiography also captures Obey's personal tone. There are great Obey moments, like when he tells Jim Wright he voted for him to be his leader, not his conscience. Or told the Democratic Caucus giving him a standing ovation that he wanted their votes, not their applause. Some readers may see comments like these and hear about Obey discuss his accomplishments and think he is a bit of a blowhard, but anyone who pays attention in Congress knows how effective he is as a legislator with strongly progressive leanings.

One downside to the book are the typos. ANWR becomes Anwar (as in Sadat) and Congressman Norm Dicks, a colleague of Obey's on the Appropriations Committee, is referred to as Dix multiple times. But typos aside, the book is a good read about how Congress works and how one member can be both progressive and pragmatic, leading to effective legislating.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raising Hell for Justice, November 2, 2008

By 

Martin Lobel "DC Lawyer" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Raising Hell for Justice: The Washington Battles of a Heartland Progressive (Hardcover)

For those who believe that a good guy who cares deeply about the issues can succeed in Congress, this is the book for you. Congressman Obey is now Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee who never lost his drive to care for those who can't care for themselves tells how he managed to achieve his position without having to sacrifice his moral compass. He describes how he learned to get what he wanted by becoming a work horse and letting others take the credit for his achievements. Its a great primer for those thinking about going into politics.