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The Conscience of a Liberal

Reclaiming the Compassionate Agenda

2002
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Author:

Senator Paul Wellstone

The Conscience of a Liberal

Minnesota’s Senator Paul Wellstone describes his tireless fight for a fresh, progressive, truly compassionate politics-now in paperback!

The Conscience of a Liberal candidly discusses Senator Paul Wellstone’s life experiences and the coming-of-age of his political views. What emerges is an intriguing inside look at Wellstone’s crusade to assert an unabashedly liberal agenda.

A memoir that might serve as well as his epitaph. In his life and in his words, the senator from Minnesota, a man many called ‘embarrassingly liberal,’ never lost his dignity.

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Los Angeles Times

From his earliest childhood memories to the college classroom, from rural Minnesota farm fields and the defense of workers' rights to his 1990 election campaign promises of politics for the benefit of the people, The Conscience of a Liberal candidly discusses Wellstone's life experiences and the coming-of-age of his political views. What emerges is an intriguing inside look at Wellstone's crusade to assert an unabashedly liberal agenda.

From the moment he was elected, Wellstone passionately articulated a path to economic and social justice for all citizens, justice not contingent on the size of a person's bank account or their political influence. A call for personal politics and deep commitment to beliefs, Wellstone's tenure as a U.S. senator was a vigorous, at times outraged, and always active fight for support for farmers, working families, and other Minnesotans; for decent jobs, improved health care, a good education, and retirement security.

At once responding to the conservative hijacking of compassion as a political yardstick and explaining his own political record, Wellstone engagingly elucidates what contrasts conservative and liberal interests and, as always, rouses progressives to influence the future of American politics.

"Wellstone promised to be what Washingtonians always say their city desperately needs: a colorful character. No one was disappointed. He still considers himself an activist, and his book reads like the work of an activist." Wall Street Journal

"Wellstone relishes the role of the lonely hero taking on powerful bullies, and irritates his jaded colleagues with his stubborn stand on principles." Washington Monthly

"A call to arms aimed at politically like-minded Americans, time and again The Conscience of a Liberal argues that a grassroots movement of progressives can defy the odds." National Journal


The Conscience of a Liberal

Senator Paul Wellstone was a professor of political science at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, for twenty-one years before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1990.

The Conscience of a Liberal

A memoir that might serve as well as his epitaph. In his life and in his words, the senator from Minnesota, a man many called ‘embarrassingly liberal,’ never lost his dignity.

—

Los Angeles Times

Entertaining and well written, this book may not stimulate a liberal revolution, but it should force readers to face the difficult question of how we can truly match our compassionate rhetoric to our public policies.

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Library Journal

Wellstone promised to be what Washingtonians always say their city desperately needs: a colorful character. No one was disappointed. He still considers himself an activist, and his book reads like the work of an activist.

—

Wall Street Journal

Wellstone relishes the role of the lonely hero taking on powerful bullies, and irritates his jaded colleagues with his stubborn stand on principles.

—

Washington Monthly

A call to arms aimed at politically like-minded Americans, time and again The Conscience of a Liberal argues that a grassroots movement of progressives can defy the odds.

—

National Journal

After reading this lucid and personal book, even those of opposite views would find it hard not to admire him.

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Publishers Weekly