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Critics' Opinion:
Readers' Opinion:
First Published:
Oct 1998, 255 pages
Paperback:
Oct 1999, 224 pages
A jovial--and completely bipartisan--compendium, Great Political Wit is a connoisseur's selection of political repartee at its best.
Famous for his delectably dry humor, Senator Bob Dole brings us the ultimate bipartisan book: some of his favorite witticisms, hilarious remarks, and wry observations of the great political figures of this century.
Bob Dole's political career may not have taken him to the White House, but he did pick up some great stories along the way. In this delightful collection, the longtime United States senator shares his favorite anecdotes, witticisms, and reminiscences.
From the campaign trail to the Oval Office, from smoked-filled rooms to the chambers of the Capitol, Bob Dole surveys a century of political wit. There are bon mots from Calvin Coolidge, Winston Churchill, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, and a host of other political figures. Bob Dole introduces each section with mirthful moments from his own experience, displaying the gift for wry humor that has made him such a favorite guest on late-night talk shows.
A jovial--and completely bipartisan--compendium, Great Political Wit is a connoisseur's selection of political repartee at its best.
Great Political Wit will have readers rolling on both sides of the aisle.
ROOTS
On numerous occasions, Lyndon Johnson repeated this remark about two kinds of speeches: "The Mother Hubbard speech, which, like the garment, covers everything but touches nothing; and the French bathing suit speech, which covers only the essential points."
CAMPAIGNING
Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy remembers, "I ran for the Senate at a very young age, and one of the issues used by the opponents was that I had never worked a day in my life. One day I was going through one of the factories in my state to meet the workers. And I will never forget the fellow who came up to me, shook my hand, and said: 'Mr. Kennedy, I understand that you have never worked a day in your life. Let me tell you, you haven't missed a thing.'"
THE PRESIDENCY
In a letter to his sister in 1947, Truman wrote: "All the President is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing and kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway."
...
Elizabeth Dole, President, American Red Cross
Considering that when I was Secretary of Transportation, Bob once said the Federal Highway Administration used my biscuit recipe to fill potholes, I'm tempted to give this book a bad review. But the fact is that Great Political Wit captures the Bob Dole I know and love--warm, funny, with a unique ability to laugh at himself. Jim Lehrer
Bob Dole has always given us a chance to laugh with him--at himself and at other politicians. Now he's put that wit and humor of his with those of others into a book that is pure joy. And meshed into the joy is a lot of pointed satire about life in the fast and sometimes crazy lanes of American politics. Larry King
Bob Dole has one of the most humorous minds, not only of any politician I've ever known, but of any person I have ever known. Some people say funny things, some people see things that are funny, Bob Dole does both. Larry King
Bob Dole has one of the most humorous minds, not only of any politician I've ever known, but of any person I have ever known. Some people say funny things, some people see things that are funny, Bob Dole does both. President George Bush
Great Political Wit keeps me laughing with some of the most humorous moments in political history. Senator Dole has shown us that he is still able to get the last laugh.
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