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brooklynite

(94,601 posts)
Wed Aug 3, 2016, 01:29 PM Aug 2016

For those looking for some light summer reading, let me recommend...

The People's Choice by Jeff Greenfield.

On Election Day in 1996, the The Republican presidential ticket of Foyle-Block wins enough states to receive 305 Electoral Votes, compared to 233 Electoral votes for the Democratic ticket of Mueller-Vincent. Since 270 Electoral votes are needed to win the Presidency, the issue of who should be the next President is thought resolved.

However, President-elect Foyle dies only days after the election in a freak accident. The Republican party then promotes his running mate, Governor Theodore Block, to the top of the ticket. Governor Block quickly proves that he is a mental lightweight, his nickname being Terry Blockhead, leading some to question his fitness for the Presidency.

One of those questioning Block's fitness to be President is Michigan Elector Dorothy Ledger, one of those forgotten people lost in a party's political machine who seems unimportant—until the fate of an election hinges on her actions. Ledger publicly questions whether she is required to vote for Block, and in so doing sets-off a political firestorm and a minor rebellion among some Republican Electors. A series of missteps by Block further exacerbates the issue.


Brilliant political humor and some interesting perspective on what Republican's face if they lose their nominee.
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