Patrick Kennedy: The Rise to Power

= This case study of Congressman Patrick Kennedy's rise to political prominence illustrates new issues of celebrity that have emerged in America over the last four decades. It explores a number of contemporary topics, along with how famous people use money, media, and name identification in order to build support and shape the political process. Featuring lively stories about Patrick Kennedy—covering both public life and private citizenship, this book provides an in-depth look at the Congressman's political emergence, the effect of the Kennedy family legacy—on him and the country, and the lessons of celebrity politics in general. For those fascinated by the decades of political, social, and economic clout of the Kennedy generations and phenomenon, and Americans interested in the celebrity influence on the country's political climate today.

DARRELL WEST is a professor of Political Science and Director of the John Hazen White, Sr., Public Opinion Laboratory at Brown University. He is a frequent commentator on media and elections and has served as an election consultant to local television stations in Providence since 1988.