On the Front Lines of Pennsylvania Politics: Twenty-five Years of Keystone Reporting - Softcover

John M. Baer

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1609497155 ISBN 13: 9781609497156

Publisher: The History Press, 2012

Synopsis

Pennsylvania, first home of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, has a tradition of political progress. However, along with the good, the political playground of Pennsylvania has also seen the brazenly bad behavior of its political leaders. For over twenty-five years, political columnist John Baer has had a front-row seat to the foibles and follies of the Keystone State's political system. Baer takes readers through his memories of covering state politics for the last quarter century, from Democratic governor Milton Shapp's short-lived run for president--in which he finished behind "no preference" in the Florida primary--to highlights of some of the game-changing campaign missteps and maneuvers that moved administrations in and out of the capital. With a delightfully gruff wit, Baer gives readers a behind-the-scenes view of the politics and personalities that have passed through Harrisburg.

About this title

About the Author:

John Baer has covered Pennsylvania politics for the Harrisburg Patriot-News and the Philadelphia Daily News since 1972 and as a Daily News reporter since 1987. He has hosted multiple statewide debates for governor and U.S. Senate and is the founder and president of the Pennsylvania Press Club. Zack Stalberg was Editor of the Philadelphia Daily News from 1984 to 2005. He is now president of the Committee of Seventy, a Philadelphia-based non-partisan organization that fights for better government.

Review:

"Anyone familiar with John Baer's column in the Philadelphia Daily News knows it is witty, insightful and often splays politicians like a meat cleaver. His book, 'On the Front Lines of Pennsylvania Politics: Twenty-five Years of Keystone Reporting' (The History Press), is no different. It spans the era from former Gov. Dick Thornburgh to Gov. Tom Corbett." --Brad Bumsead Trib Total Media

Baer is one of those old-school columnists who breaks down the news by making each point ring like a gunshot, then slides a sweet little daisy of a last sentence into the muzzle as the smoke clears. His new book, On the Front Lines of Pennsylvania Politics: 25 Years of Keystone Reporting, is based on his 25 years reporting on Harrisburg for the Philadelphia Daily News. Baer has covered it all, from soup to nuts (that's Milton Shapp and Gov. Corbett, to me and you)." --Tara Murtha, Philadelphia Weekly

About this edition

• Publisher: The History Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1609497155
• ISBN 13: 9781609497156
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160