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The Conscience of a Liberal: Reclaiming the Compassionate Agenda [Paperback]

Senator Paul Wellstone
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)

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Book Description

September 3, 2002
From his earliest childhood memories to the college classroom, from rural Minnesota farm fields and the defense of workers' rights to his 1990 election campaign promises of politics for the benefit of the people, The Conscience of a Liberal candidly discusses Wellstone's life experiences and the coming-of-age of his political views. What emerges is an intriguing inside look at Wellstone's crusade to assert an unabashedly liberal agenda.

From the moment he was elected, Wellstone has passionately articulated a path to economic and social justice for all citizens, justice not contingent on the size of a person's bank account or their political influence. A call for personal politics and deep commitment to beliefs, Wellstone's tenure as a U.S. senator has been a vigorous, at times outraged, and always active fight for support for farmers, working families, and other Minnesotans; for decent jobs, improved health care, a good education, and retirement security.

At once responding to the conservative hijacking of compassion as a political yardstick and explaining his own political record, Wellstone engagingly elucidates what contrasts conservative and liberal interests and, as always, rouses progressives to influence the future of American politics.

"Wellstone promised to be what Washingtonians always say their city desperately needs: a colorful character. No one was disappointed. He still considers himself an activist, and his book reads like the work of an activist." Wall Street Journal

"Wellstone relishes the role of the lonely hero taking on powerful bullies, and irritates his jaded colleagues with his stubborn stand on principles." Washington Monthly

"A call to arms aimed at politically like-minded Americans, time and again The Conscience of a Liberal argues that a grassroots movement of progressives can defy the odds." National Journal

Senator Paul Wellstone was a professor of political science at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, for twenty-one years before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1990.


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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When senators think about running for president, they write books like The Conscience of a Liberal. Indeed, Senator Paul Wellstone of Minnesota thought about pursuing the Democratic presidential nomination in 2000, but ultimately backed off. Unfortunately, his death in an October 2002 plane crash ended both a promising political career and all speculation about where it might lead.

The first part of the book explains Wellstone's unlikely ascension to the Senate (he was once a college professor), and some of his campaign war stories are fun reading for political junkies. One of the most amusing passages describes how he once nearly clocked New York Republican Alfonse D'Amato over a disagreement: "When the train reached the Senate chamber, I jumped out and lunged forward, intending to catch D'Amato and deck him. My body was shaking with uncontrollable anger." Another senator held him back, and Wellstone calmed down.

The bulk of The Conscience of a Liberal, however, is given over to laying out a political agenda that includes universal health care, reversing welfare reforms, prekindergarten education, raising the minimum wage, and campaign-finance reform. He closes with a call for a new politics: "This is not a conservative America.... There is a huge leadership void in this country that the Democratic Party, emboldened by political courage and a commitment to the issues that made our party great, can fill." Sadly, one of the politicians who helped fill that void is now gone himself. Still, his ideas live on. --John J. Miller

From Publishers Weekly

Minnesota Senator Wellstone opens this memoir with his attendance at the funeral service of archconservative Barry Goldwater. Wellstone was there because as a boy he had read Goldwater's Conscience of a Conservative. Paradoxically, he credits his admiration for Goldwater's political integrity with providing the moral basis for his own liberalism. And he is very liberal, indeed. After reading this lucid and personal book, however, even those of opposite views would find it hard not to admire him. Wellstone presents two propositions. The first, that integrity in politics is essential, will be widely applauded. The second, that liberal political values reflect mainstream American values, will receive a mixed reception. At the core of this account is Wellstone's desire to mobilize voters to organize around issues he believes important to the country's well-being. The litany of societal problems addressed is broad and includes health care, education and testing, economic justice (welfare reform) and campaign finance reform. About each, Wellstone provides cogent and thought-provoking facts, figures and expert opinions, as well as personal stories that humanize the damage and loss of human potential he sees flowing from current public policies. He also offers solutions consistent with his view that government is capable of making a positive difference. The book is, for the most part, pleasantly free of partisan invective; his criticisms are generally oblique. Wellstone's 1996 Senate campaign adds drama. The only senator facing reelection who voted against welfare reform, he survived an extremely negative campaign, even by modern standards. Many readers will be glad he did. (May 22)Forecast: With millions of voters disappointed that their man barely (and, some would argue, unfairly) lost the recent presidential election, Wellstone offers reassurance that liberal values are still alive and well in Washington. As he tours New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Los Angeles, along with his home state, the senator will surely attract die-hard liberal readers with his concise but thoughtful tome.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Univ Of Minnesota Press; 1 edition (September 3, 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 081664179X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0816641796
  • Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #809,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

I was never really interested in politics before I read this book. "angelzen"  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
Wellstone was a great and HONEST politician. J. McAndrew  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 35 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring book September 28, 2003
Format:Paperback
I was never really interested in politics before I read this book. But I've admired and respected Paul Wellstone for a long time, and after his death I was very interested in what he had done in his political life before I became aware of politics (I didn't start really listening until a couple years ago, just before I grew old enough to vote). This book caught my attention and got me interested in the political world and how the laws that are made in Washington DC affect people like me and those around me here in Minnesota. It really does make me want to be active in supporting change for the better. Paul Wellstone will always be a personal hero of mine.
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45 of 56 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars remembering Paul October 28, 2002
Format:Hardcover
The other morning on one of the Sunday chat shows, a so-called "objective" political pundit referred to the late Senator as "a far-out liberal" with "extreme ideas." Is this how far we have fallen under Bush II? Is it "far-out" to believe that people are more important than profits? Is it "extreme" to feel that the American government should belong to the American people and not multinational corporations? Is the belief that, to quote populist commentator Jim Hightower, "everybody does better when everybody does better" just a naive, "liberal" pipe dream? Wellstone understood, as perhaps no other U.S. Senator does, that the main reason why the 2000 presidential election was so close was that voters accurately failed to discern much difference between centrist Bush and centrist Gore. Senator Wellstone was different, God bless him. Not only did he actually believe what he said, he acted on those beliefs, opinion polls be damned. The greatest tribute those of us who still believe in a just and fair American can pay to him is not just to read this book--although it's a start. We must now organize and run for office ourselves in order to restore democratic ideals to the Democratic party and to the White House. May this be Paul Wellstone's legacy.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Politically Refreshing May 12, 2002
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is nice to know that some decency still exists among all of the greed and power in Washington. Paul Wellstone has made it a priority to fight for those who can't afford to hire a lobbyist. This book demonstrates his uphill fight against the money and the power brokers in DC. Even if you disagree with Wellstone politically, it would be difficult not to welcome his honest and sincere attitude towards the process. This is a must read for any progressive.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing insight into the world of the Senate
This book is not only insightful into what it takes to become and stay a Senator, Wellstone gives incredible insight into how legislation is passed. Read more
Published 3 months ago by zack Armstrong
1.0 out of 5 stars Paul Wellstone Talking About Himself
I went into this book expecting the liberal version of The Conscience of a Conservative. I wanted a fair defense of liberal values and ideas so that I could understand the other... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Dan
5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE LOVE LOVE Krugman
Full Disclosure: Huge Paul Krugman fan. Read several of his books and can't seem to ever disagree with him! Read more
Published on August 31, 2009 by Grant Beehler
5.0 out of 5 stars The Conscience of a Liberal
For every good and fair minded person to read. It really opened my eyes.
Published on November 5, 2007 by Irene Smith
3.0 out of 5 stars The Conscience of a Liberal
I am disappointed in this book. I expected something more philosophical and/or well written. I admire Wellstone's work as a politician but find his writing rather mediocre. Read more
Published on August 18, 2006 by KATE VANHORN
5.0 out of 5 stars What a GREAT Book...
I was a great admirer of Paul Wellstone ever since the fall of 1990. Although I have lived in Minnesota since 2001, in 1990 I was a college sophomore in another state who was... Read more
Published on April 28, 2006 by Lams712
5.0 out of 5 stars 10 stars Buy for every Democrat elected or running for office and for...
Great book that begins where he was in college and how he and his wife met and how they became the activists they were and what a real progressive is or at least should be. Read more
Published on March 21, 2006 by Beth DeRoos
1.0 out of 5 stars Absolute drivel!
This is the type of feel good no meat and potatos thinking that permiates the liberal left. An agenda designed to fail from start to finish because the author refuses to accept... Read more
Published on February 8, 2005 by H. Walsh
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!!
The late Paul Wellstone puts together a great story of how he became who he is...a liberal and proud of it. Read more
Published on July 8, 2004 by J. McAndrew
5.0 out of 5 stars Great!!!
I haven't gotten this book yet but I know David Wellstone, well I knew him. He was one of the best senators of our time. Buy this book!!!
Published on April 3, 2004
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