From Publishers Weekly
Newsweek correspondent Waldman writes a blow-by-blow account of Clinton's National Service Bill as it comes before Congress and collides with a cynical Washington political culture and various special interests.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Despite the pretentious claims made by the title, this is a fine and accessible case study of the legislative process. Journalist Waldman was given the opportunity by his employer, Newsweek, to cover one of Clinton's legislative proposals from campaign idea to signature by the president. He had access to key White House staff and their meetings as well as to those significant members of Congress and their staffs who shepherded the bill through the legislative labyrinth. While Waldman has a somewhat cynical view of the political process that produced the National Service Act, he possesses fine political insight that allows the reader to understand the advantages and disadvantages of compromises in order to achieve one's goals in Washington. Besides making the reader aware of the roles of competing interest groups, the media, congressional representatives, and legislative and executive staffers in shaping the bill, he illuminates Clinton's motivation and political instinct. This contemporary version of Eric Redman's Dance of Legislation (1973) is highly recommended for popular political science collections.
Thomas J. Baldino, Wilkes Univ., Wilkes-Barre, Pa.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
