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The Life of Pennsylvania Governor George M. Leader
Challenging Complacency
Authors:
Publisher:
2011
Summary
The Life of Pennsylvania Governor George M. Leader tells the story of George Michael Leader who, at 36, was the second youngest governor ever elected to the office and served from 1955 to 1959. His chances of being elected were tenuous at best: Democrats never fared well in pursuit of the Governor's Office in the Keystone State. His election was an upset. Republican Party stalwarts were stunned at the tally in Leader's favor. And, his election ushered in an era when the Commonwealth's electorate shifted its allegiance from majority Republican to majority Democrat, a trend that continues in the 21st century.
Leader's administration achieved landmark legislation for economic development, civil rights, education for disabled children, mental health care reform, the environment, expansion of civil service, professionalization of government and in many other areas. Some referred to Leader as a refreshing change to politics-as-usual in the State Capitol. His opposition referred to him as "that stubborn young governor." Leader was proud of both monikers.
George Leader dates to an era when politics were quite different. Handshakes secured votes, campaign budgets were small, modern mass media was in its infancy, personal attacks were few and political patronage was rampant at all levels of government.
Challenging Complacency stands as the only oral history-based account of a Pennsylvania governor. Written by a leading Pennsylvania historian while the former governor was in his 9th decade of life, here Governor Leader tells his remarkable story.
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Bibliographic data
Copyright year
2011
ISBN-Print
978-1-61146-079-7
ISBN-Online
978-1-61146-080-3
Publisher
Lexington, Lanham
Language
English
Pages
190
Product type
Book Titles
Table of contents
ChapterPages
Contents No access
Introduction No access Pages 1 - 8
Chapter 1: Early Years, Parents, and Family No access Pages 9 - 34
Chapter 2: World War II and Early Political Ventures No access Pages 35 - 50
Chapter 3: The Keystone State’s Chief Executive, 1955–1959 No access Pages 51 - 100
Chapter 4: The 1958 U.S. Senate Campaign and Postgubernatorial Years No access Pages 101 - 118
Photos No access Pages c - l
Chapter 5: Wellness, Faith, and Family No access Pages 119 - 136
Chapter 6: Views, Philosophies, and Ideas about Contemporary Issues No access Pages 137 - 154
Chapter 7: The Humanitarian No access Pages 155 - 170
