Politics the Wellstone Way: How to Elect Progressive Candidates and Win on Issues

I teach politics and grassroots organizing and have reviewed many similar books. Politics the Wellstone Way is hands down the absolute best book in this genre I have seen. Paul Wellstone was an organizing genious and developed a special talent for combining electoral politics and grassroots organizing with effective policy work. Bill Lofy and the other staffers at Wellstone Action have beautifully captured the wisdom and skills Wellstone was able to accumulate in over 30 years in grassroots organizing and electoral campaigning. I highly recommend it for progressive who wants to learn how to win elections and win in issue organizing for progressive issues. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in learning how to rebuild democracy in America.

This book is designed to be a practical campaign manual for progressive grassroots candidates and organizations in both the context of candidate races, and issue campaigns. The book is based on the Wellstone campaigns for US Senate in Minnesota, which were highly successful and great models for "people power" campaigns. The media strategies used in the first campaign, against Rudy Boschwitz, were classic examples of what I call "guerilla campaigning," in that they used innovative approaches to get the biggest bang for the buck, and gain earned media. Now most campaigns from both parties do the same sort of thing, but at the time, in 1990, it was incredibly innovative. Of course, the Wellstone campaigns were animated by Paul Wellstone, an incredibly charismatic and tenacious fighter in the political wars. For a less dynamic candidate, it is hard to say if the organization would have been as successful. Still, the lesson is that a strong, smart organization is the key to victory for outfinanced progressive candidates, and this book is designed to help build such organizations. The book does lose some of its effectiveness for the smaller campaign, unfortunately. It is geared to provide a model for statewide and congressional races. Most smaller campaigns, such as those for state legislature, will not be able to do what is described in this book, for want of personnel or funds. Even so, the book gives terrific pointers for organization, strategy, and tactics considerations.

Until recently, I wasn't able to attend a Camp Wellstone, so I did the next best thing, and purchased this book. It does an excellent job of laying out the basic knowledge needed in a progressive campaign. Very useful in electoral campaigning as well as issue based campaigns. A MUST READ for anyone involved in (or trying to join) an electoral or issue campaign. I have since purchased many books on elections, but this was the first, and in my opinion, the best overall book in my campaigning library. This book is a basic nuts & bolts read. A very good primer and starter book on elections. READ THIS FIRST and then move on to the Faucheux and Shea type books if you are looking for a more in-depth education on campaigning and elections. I proudly give POLITICS THE WELLSTONE WAY five stars!

As a past Camp Wellstone attendee, I wasn't sure whether I would find this book to be a rehash of the ideas and strategies taught in the wonderful training weekend. But I was inspired all over again by Politics the Wellstone Way. It articulates the best of progressive values and the winning, practical way to live them in the sphere of politics. Paul Wellstone's legacy and memory live on strongly in progressive politics, and I think Wellstone Action is doing a wonderful job of making that legacy fruitful. I attended Camp Wellstone not really knowing how I would use the training, but it has proved valuable in ways I didn't expect. I have been recommending this book to people as the next best thing.

This book is a tribute to the late Senator Paul Wellstone (D MN) and his wife Shelia, who died in a plane accident. Before his untimely demise, Wellstone was one of the most dynamic examples that liberalism was not dead in the Democratic Party and was not dead in America either. I loved his floor speeches and sponsored legislation because they intentionally sought an America where people truly were united. He believed in and genuinely loved the American people. This book, influenced by the workshop series Mark and David Wellstone started to honor their parents, explains how everybody and anybody can become a more effective progressive activist. The best cause in the world looses visibility when organizers cannot get their message out to the public or even figure out how to field organize. Since even experienced activists can become overwhelmed with all of the tasks we need to do in tight races, having the basic steps laid out was also helpful for us. Another major strength of the book is that it is for novice politicos and veteran organizers alike. The more, the merrier! Most of all, this book stresses the Wellstone way was and is connecting with people. The right only holds seats because their candidates spin to 'common people' but we do not have to put on such false airs. We can represent the common people because we are them.