Keeper of the Rules: Congressman Howard W. Smith of Virginia

For thirty-six years Congressman Howard W. Smith of Virginia was one of the most powerful figures in the U.S. House of Representatives. He wrote or helped write major laws against government subversion and labor activism. More importantly, he used his chairmanship of the House Rules Committee skillfully to strike down or weaken legislation that called for the federal government to address long-standing social problems, including civil rights, education, and public housing. His penchant for keeping a low profile belies the fact that many observers of the late 1950s regarded Smith as one of the three most important politicians in Washington. In "Keeper of the Rules," Bruce J. Dierenfield addresses primarily the following questions: What was the ideology of Smith and like-minded southern Democrats? Given his minority position, why was Smith able to exercise substantial influence over legislation? What means did he employ to kill undesirable bills supported by liberal Democrats? And finally, why did the liberal reaction to Smith ultimately succeed? This impressive work provides an understanding of political maneuverings in Congress, the conservative perspective on American society, and many influential laws that have shaped our nation's history from 1930 to the present.
ASIN: 0813910684
VSKU: BVV.0813910684.A
Condition: Acceptable
Author/Artist:Dierenfield, Bruce J.
Binding: Hardcover
Note: Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.
Condition Notes: The item is very worn but is perfectly usable. Signs of wear can include aesthetic issues such as scratches, dents, worn and creased covers, folded page corners and minor liquid stains. All pages and the cover are intact, but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include moderate to heavy amount of notes and highlighting, but the text is not obscured or unreadable. Page edges may have foxing age related spots and browning . May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.