Overview

Dennis DeConcini, a contemporary of Arizona greats like Sandra Day O'Connor, Barry Goldwater, and Rose Mofford, is an Arizona icon in his own right. Starting his public career as the Pima County Attorney, DeConcini orchestrated an unprecedented rise to a seat in the U.S. Senate, which he held for eighteen years. His political memoir, co-authored with historian Jack L. August Jr., reaches beyond typical reflections to provide the reader with penetrating and revealing insights into the inner workings and colorful characters of Arizona politics and the United States Senate. A vigilant centrist, who got results by building coalitions on both sides of the aisle, Senator DeConcini's approach was not bound to strict party alliances but was deeply rooted in the independent political environment of Arizona. During his career, he sponsored legislation limiting the sale of assault weapons, which provoked the National Rifle Association. He confounded Democratic Party regulars by supporting Clarence Thomas during the controversial confirmation hearings and again split with his party in his support for William Rehnquist's nomination to Chief Justice. In 1980 he voted for Ronald Reagan, but in 1993 he cast the swing vote for President Bill Clinton's tax bill, which was strongly opposed by Republicans in Arizona. This political memoir will be of interest to anyone concerned with the inner workings of the U.S. Senate or Arizona politics and offers relevant insights into today's political climate.

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9780816532070

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Reviews

This book is a fascinating account of the life and time of one of Arizona's most distinguished leaders. Governor Janet Napolitano I think this book should be read by Republicans and Democrats alike, especially those interested in the history of Arizona and the nation during the last 30 years of the 20th century. Marshall Trimble, Arizona historian and author Senator DeConcini was one of the few Democrats who would reach across the aisle and work with us. Senator Orrin G. Hatch

This book is a fascinating account of the life and time of one of Arizona's most distinguished leaders. --Governor Janet Napolitano I think this book should be read by Republicans and Democrats alike, especially those interested in the history of Arizona and the nation during the last 30 years of the 20th century. --Marshall Trimble, Arizona historian and author Senator DeConcini was one of the few Democrats who would reach across the aisle and work with us. --Senator Orrin G. Hatch

Author Information

Dennis DeConcini served in the United States Senate from 1977 to 1995. He is a founding partner of the law firm DeConcini, McDonald, Yetwin & Lacy, and is a partner in the lobbying firm Parry, Romani, DeConcini & Symms Associates. Jack L. August Jr. is a former Fulbright Scholar, National Endowment for the Humanities Research Fellow, and Pulitzer Prize nominee in history for his volume Vision in the Desert: Carl Hayden and Hydropolitics in the American Southwest. He is currently the executive director of the Arizona Historical Foundation at Arizona State University, USA.

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