The Politics of Inclusion

I found this book to be very interesting. This is through its discussion of how a Republican can win statewide office (through a dramatic landslide) and govern with reasonable effectiveness in a heavily urbanized (and Democratic) state with a significant minority population (living in New York, I can appreciate this situation). Kean is definitely a national spokesman for the center-right of the GOP, and it is too bad that he never tried to advance politically beyond New Jersey. As a moderately conservative Republican (moderate with respect to "hot button" social issues), I think that the Republican Party needs to do more to incorporate Kean's outlook. He has a strong record to show for his brand of Republicanism.

I lived in New Jersy during Mr. Thomas H. Kean's many years in the legislature and as governor. Polite, courteous and gallant to a fault,he nonetheless was firm and decisive when necessary. Widely respected he had that rare quality that led all even his political adversaries to like and respect him. This autobiographical book is enlivened with many anecdotes of his years in public service. It provides the reader with insight into his highly honed core values, his sense of humor and his truly gifted leadership. His talents were such that members of the opposing political party voted for him to be their Assembl;y Leader. The scion of an established and comfortable New Jersey family, he could have coasted through life. But like Theodore Roosevelt he chose to "fight the good fight."