Book Review: Toomey’sTriumph: Inside a Key Senate Campaign,by Harold I. Gullan. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2012.
Gullan, an advertising executive turned history professor,writes about the 2010 Senate race. Instead of taking a standard historical approach he sort of embedshimself in the Toomey campaign and writes chronologically, so at the start ofthe book he isn’t sure who will be running, let alone who wins.
Chapter 1 Prelude (March 2010). Gullan explains how the book got started andintroduces the cast of characters. Heapproached the campaign and asks if they would be willing to grant him accessto campaign activities and interview staff. At this point Toomey is the Republican candidate. Incumbent Arlen Specter, who switched from theRepublican to the Democratic party, faces Joe Sestak, then the congressmanrepresenting the 7th district.
Chapter 2 Three Pathsto April. This chapter provides familyand political background on the three major candidates, including a shorter amountof information on Peggy Luksik, another Republican seeking the office, butgiven little chance of winning. Theauthor also goes into detail on Specter’s party switch.
Chapter 3 Setting theTable (May). The focus here is on theDemocratic primary. There is alsobiographical information on Toomey’s campaign staff. This chapter has two rather glaringtypographical errors. Congressman BobBrady is referred to as “Bill Brady,” (52) and Inquirer reporter Tom Fitzgeraldis referred to as “Tom Fitzpatrick” (61). While Specter’s most recent book said the (in)famous “re-elected” ad didnot have much effect on the campaign, Gullan says it is “devasting (59). Gullan’s powers of observation and writingstyle are on display when he remarks that Dr. G. Terry Madonna, director of theCenter for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin & Marshall College “mayuse an excess of hair dye” (72).
Chapter 4 “Nothinginappropriate happened” (June). The chaptertitle is in reference to the rumor of a job offer in the federal governmentused as a failed enticement to Joe Sestak to drop out of the race. The chapter itself focuses on the BP oil spillin the Gulf of Mexico. John Hanger, thenthe Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and currentcandidate for governor, is described (77) as having a “strong background in therealities of resources exploration.”
Chatper 5 The 80Percent Solution (July). Gullan focuseson campaign events, such as Joe Sestak’s talk before the PA Press Club, andtelevision ads for the candidates. Healso notes that at campaign stops Sestak will so thoroughly answer questions thatreporters will eventually end the conversation so they can write up their storybefore deadline. [blogger note: I can confirm this having personally observedthe same phenomenon.] Gullan alsobriefly discusses the Corbett / Onorato governor’s race. He also writes about polls and polling.
Chapter 6 MaintainingMomentum (August). Toomey’s consultants(and the fact that he has two primary consultants) are described. The chapter also has information on debates,interviews, television ads, and campaign positions.
A few interestingquotes:
As each candidate’sstaff seeks to define (and malign) their opponent, with multiple pronouncementsemerging each day, this campaign cam sometimes seem like a contest betweenSestak’s “Extreme Makeover” and Toomey’s Who wants to be a Millionaire.” (148)
And
Neither Joe Sestak nor Pat Toomeyis a particularly compelling orator, nor do their diametrically opposed messagereally require one. The difference is that Sestak at least tries for somesemblance of oratory, while Toomey does not. (150)
Chapter 7 Seeking the Summit (September). Anotherof Gullan’s peculiarities is his use of the term “tea bag” instead of TeaParty. On p. 169 he refers to “tea bagsupported Sharon Angle.” Personally Ithink it is best to refer to individuals or groups by the name they use torefer to themselves. Gullan also notesSestak’s unusual speech patterns and delivery. He discusses earmarks and both candidates’ current and past positions onearmarks. Like many Pennsylvaniapoliticos he is fond of Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN), and he writes aboutwatching some of their televised political events.
Chapter 8 Driving itHome (October). The race heats up. Gullan focuses on campaign events and ads.
Chapter 9 Toomsday(Nov 2, 2010). Election day and theimmediate aftermath.
See other reviews and articles on the book at "Mt. Airy author's book recounts Toomey's campaign," by Lou Mancinelli, Chestnuthilllocal.com
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