What do you think?
Rate this book
Proxmire: Bulldog of the Senate
Bulldog of the Senate is the first comprehensive biography of one of Wisconsin’s most important, and entertaining, political figures. Known for championing consumer-protection legislation and farming interests, Senator Proxmire also fought continuously against wasteful government spending, highlighting the most egregious examples with his monthly “Golden Fleece Award.” Remembered by many Wisconsinites as a friendly, hand-shaking fixture at sporting events and state fairs, Proxmire was one of the few politicians who voted his conscience and never forgot about the people he represented.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2019
2 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 27, 2019
Like many of my generation, I became aware of politics and Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire at about the same time. During the Vietnam war (and after) the longtime politician was against military waste and ballooning federal deficits. Yet, on social issues, the Senator supported civil rights and was anti-abortion. He campaigned for JFK but attacked Kennedy’s appointments of petroleum execs to key positions. In addition to politics, Proxmire wrote books about diet and exercise. This book by UW Waukesha Professor Jonathan Kasparek tells the stories of his political campaigns, his desire to remain close to voters and his struggles in retirement after 34 years in the Senate.
I remember shaking the Senator's hand which he did at most Packers and Badgers games and every day at the Wisconsin State Fair. I admired him as a true political maverick and was glad that his story was captured in this book.
I remember shaking the Senator's hand which he did at most Packers and Badgers games and every day at the Wisconsin State Fair. I admired him as a true political maverick and was glad that his story was captured in this book.
November 29, 2020
I've been on a recent "maverick" kick between this book at the Wayne Morse biography. Maybe it reflects my own disillusionment with the two party system, but I find these figures fascinating in no small part because they anger people from every side yet garner a level of respect for their boldness. If we had more in government like Morse and Proxmire today, we would be better for it.
Kasparek authors a comprehensive biography of a Senator whose name goes too often forgotten today. We have the Truth in Lending Act and the Community Reinvestment Act to thank Proxmire for. These laws impact nearly every American every day, and yet we know little about one of their crucial proponents. A wonk at heart and a man truly dedicated to his work (to the detriment of his family life early on), Proxmire made change happen not by surrendering his principles but by finding unlikely realms for collaboration. Defying labels, he began his career as a foreign policy hawk but was guided by his aggressive deficit hawkery to decry endless war and wasteful spending. The B-1 bomber, the F-14, you name it, Proxmire was angry about cost overruns. Looking at Pentagon spending today, we need a Proxmire to call out no-bid contracts and excessive spending. Premised on this commitment, his turn on Vietnam could more aptly be described as an evolution. His shift was not based on liberal pacifism but on a deep sense of frugality. In the end, Proxmire simultaneously opposed pardoning draft dodgers and lambasted the war itself -- unique in polarized leadership circles, but probably common among average Americans.
On the domestic front, Proxmire straddled an interesting line between being a liberal and a conservative. He voted against countless spending bills, introduced amendments doomed on sight, and devoted time (and his own money after a lawsuit) to highlighting waste in government. He almost relished in upsetting the profligate powers. Less cantankerous than Morse, Proxmire nonetheless upset his own party with his social conservatism and willingness to challenge sacrosanct spending programs. Fiscal conservatism, moderated on Wisconsin-specific issues like dairy price supports, was the backbone of what made Proxmire special. Sometimes exaggerated, but worthy of respect for its boldness. Proxmire was conservative in some ways but still supported increased spending for housing and opposed pro-business crony capitalism as exemplified by loan guarantees. Proxmire could envision longer time horizons on fiscal issues, shown by his recognition that bailing out NYC would save federal money in the long run. In sum, his fiscal responsibility shtick was cranky but not kneejerk. His fiscal conservatism angered people sometimes (see all the votes he was in a decided minority on) but surprisingly came to influence policy. His battles over amendments steered various national priorities.
Kasparek also shows how devoted Proxmire could be through his discussion of the UN Genocide Convention. Every single day, the Senator from Wisconsin rose to give a speech about combatting genocide, delivering over 2,000 *unique* addresses on the issue. Eventually, his hard work paid off and the US joined the Convention with the Proxmire Act. Reminiscent of John Quincy Adams' post-Presidential daily anti-slavery speeches, this oratorical devotion showed how our democracy can respond to forceful advocacy for its betterment. It's tough to imagine any Senator pulling off such a feat today.
What made Proxmire interesting extended beyond his legislative record. He lived a highly regimented life, running multiple miles a day for most of his career and slotting time into his busy day to read (sounds familiar to me). He was similarly quirky; how many people would hire their muggers to work for them?? Who else would be okay with running and losing statewide 3 times before finally successfully running... for Senate? Only a slightly nerdy, borderline obsessive king like Proxmire. This quirkiness additionally manifested itself in high ethical standards. Media figures who lambaste "crooked politicians" would struggle to oppose Proxmire, who insisted on being squeaky clean, unlike his predecessor Joe McCarthy.
Like Victor Berger, Joe McCarthy, Fighting Bob, Dave Obey (who I read a great biography of), Robert Kastenmeier, Patrick Lucey, Reid Ribble, and many others, Proxmire exemplified something special about Wisconsin politics. A swingy state settled by diverse immigrant groups, Wisconsin oscillates between fits of progressive reform and staunch Republicanism. It is indeed a laboratory for interesting politicians and remains today one of the union's most fascinating states, represented by fiscal conservative stalwart Ron Johnson and populist Democrat Tammy Baldwin. For years, the 3rd District has been represented by bookish free trade "true believer" Ron Kind; yet it also voted twice for brash Donald Trump, who fought trade wars and campaigned on an anti-NAFTA platform. Proxmire flourished for many years in the soil of Wisconsin politics, uniquely hearty for mavericks. Kasparek gives an appropriate treatment to the "Bulldog of the Senate", his tone revealing a distant fondness for this true maverick. A tone backed up with many an anecdote in this readable work. Definitely a book I recommend!
Kasparek authors a comprehensive biography of a Senator whose name goes too often forgotten today. We have the Truth in Lending Act and the Community Reinvestment Act to thank Proxmire for. These laws impact nearly every American every day, and yet we know little about one of their crucial proponents. A wonk at heart and a man truly dedicated to his work (to the detriment of his family life early on), Proxmire made change happen not by surrendering his principles but by finding unlikely realms for collaboration. Defying labels, he began his career as a foreign policy hawk but was guided by his aggressive deficit hawkery to decry endless war and wasteful spending. The B-1 bomber, the F-14, you name it, Proxmire was angry about cost overruns. Looking at Pentagon spending today, we need a Proxmire to call out no-bid contracts and excessive spending. Premised on this commitment, his turn on Vietnam could more aptly be described as an evolution. His shift was not based on liberal pacifism but on a deep sense of frugality. In the end, Proxmire simultaneously opposed pardoning draft dodgers and lambasted the war itself -- unique in polarized leadership circles, but probably common among average Americans.
On the domestic front, Proxmire straddled an interesting line between being a liberal and a conservative. He voted against countless spending bills, introduced amendments doomed on sight, and devoted time (and his own money after a lawsuit) to highlighting waste in government. He almost relished in upsetting the profligate powers. Less cantankerous than Morse, Proxmire nonetheless upset his own party with his social conservatism and willingness to challenge sacrosanct spending programs. Fiscal conservatism, moderated on Wisconsin-specific issues like dairy price supports, was the backbone of what made Proxmire special. Sometimes exaggerated, but worthy of respect for its boldness. Proxmire was conservative in some ways but still supported increased spending for housing and opposed pro-business crony capitalism as exemplified by loan guarantees. Proxmire could envision longer time horizons on fiscal issues, shown by his recognition that bailing out NYC would save federal money in the long run. In sum, his fiscal responsibility shtick was cranky but not kneejerk. His fiscal conservatism angered people sometimes (see all the votes he was in a decided minority on) but surprisingly came to influence policy. His battles over amendments steered various national priorities.
Kasparek also shows how devoted Proxmire could be through his discussion of the UN Genocide Convention. Every single day, the Senator from Wisconsin rose to give a speech about combatting genocide, delivering over 2,000 *unique* addresses on the issue. Eventually, his hard work paid off and the US joined the Convention with the Proxmire Act. Reminiscent of John Quincy Adams' post-Presidential daily anti-slavery speeches, this oratorical devotion showed how our democracy can respond to forceful advocacy for its betterment. It's tough to imagine any Senator pulling off such a feat today.
What made Proxmire interesting extended beyond his legislative record. He lived a highly regimented life, running multiple miles a day for most of his career and slotting time into his busy day to read (sounds familiar to me). He was similarly quirky; how many people would hire their muggers to work for them?? Who else would be okay with running and losing statewide 3 times before finally successfully running... for Senate? Only a slightly nerdy, borderline obsessive king like Proxmire. This quirkiness additionally manifested itself in high ethical standards. Media figures who lambaste "crooked politicians" would struggle to oppose Proxmire, who insisted on being squeaky clean, unlike his predecessor Joe McCarthy.
Like Victor Berger, Joe McCarthy, Fighting Bob, Dave Obey (who I read a great biography of), Robert Kastenmeier, Patrick Lucey, Reid Ribble, and many others, Proxmire exemplified something special about Wisconsin politics. A swingy state settled by diverse immigrant groups, Wisconsin oscillates between fits of progressive reform and staunch Republicanism. It is indeed a laboratory for interesting politicians and remains today one of the union's most fascinating states, represented by fiscal conservative stalwart Ron Johnson and populist Democrat Tammy Baldwin. For years, the 3rd District has been represented by bookish free trade "true believer" Ron Kind; yet it also voted twice for brash Donald Trump, who fought trade wars and campaigned on an anti-NAFTA platform. Proxmire flourished for many years in the soil of Wisconsin politics, uniquely hearty for mavericks. Kasparek gives an appropriate treatment to the "Bulldog of the Senate", his tone revealing a distant fondness for this true maverick. A tone backed up with many an anecdote in this readable work. Definitely a book I recommend!
October 27, 2019
Presidents get a large share of biographies so I guess to generate interest in a senator or governor the subject has to be unique, larger than life character. Jonathan Kasparek found his subject in Senator William Proxmire and has crafted a tale worthy of the man.
Proxmire began his life as the son of a prosperous doctor in Lake Forest, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. While studying at Yale and obtaining an MBA from Harvard Proxmire became an admirer of FDR, although he gave speeches for Wendell Willkie in 1940, and developed an interest in politics. A brief Wall Street career was ended by a low draft number that provided an incentive to enlist in the Army before Pearl Harbor. He spent his war in Chicago in the Military Intelligence Service. After discharge he returned to Harvard to pursue studies in the Graduate School of Public Administration where he met and married Elsie Rockefeller, great-grand-daughter of William Rockefeller, the second largest shareholder in Standard Oil. Upon completion of his studies he interviewed with several newspaper before accepting a position with the Madison Capitol Times, partly because he saw Wisconsin as fertile ground where he could help a moribund Democratic party to grow.
In Wisconsin Proxmire became active in the Democratic party to the point that he made three unsuccessful runs for governor in the 1950s before his name recognition and popularity gained him an upset win in the 1957 special election to fill the unexpired term of the late Sen. Joseph McCarthy. In Washington Proxmire quickly earned a lasting reputation for independence beginning with his early challenge of the domination of the Democratic caucus by Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson. Over his 31 years in the Senate he was a voice for fiscal restraint, often targeting military spending and the Moon Shot. He fought for consumer protection and integrity in government. Although generally believing that a president should be able to appoint his own team and judges, he judged each case on the merits as evidenced by his votes against William Casey to the Security and Exchange Commission and for William Rehnquist to the Supreme Court. Strong on patriotism he was an early supporter of the Vietnam war, although he later changed his position and regretted his early actions. He maintained his pro-life stands. Ever the senator from Wisconsin, he tried to keep margarine off U.S. Navy tables and the Braves in Milwaukee.
While focusing on Proxmire’s political career, it does not neglect his personal qualities. His single-minded devotion to his duty and politics drove him to make almost every roll call vote in his career yet be in Wisconsin most weekends to shake hands at factory and Lambeau Field gates, restaurants and anywhere else his constituents would be found. A politician’s life is hard on family and the Proxmires paid the price with divorce from his first wife and a period of separation from the second. His committment to exercise and health routines made him a bizarre character to some and an inspiration to others.
Author Jonathan Kasparek has crafted a tome that captures the reader’s interest while it tells a story. He portrays a politician who blended principle with politics, who was willing to explain his positions rather than bend with every breeze and who chose to be the first senator from Wisconsin to voluntarily retire in 74 years. It is refreshing to read of a partisan senator who could work across the aisle to achieve results. This is a work for anyone with an interest in modern Wisconsin political history but what about readers elsewhere across the Fruited Plain? I remember Proxmire being mentioned on television and in the newspapers. I have never lived in Wisconsin although I have visited it often. I am a strong Republican who, generally speaking, would have hoped that Proxmire would have lost that 1957 election and never have been heard of again, yet as I read these pages my respect for their subject grew so that I caught myself rooting for him. Some book, some Senator!
I did receive a free copy of this book without an obligation to post a review.
Proxmire began his life as the son of a prosperous doctor in Lake Forest, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. While studying at Yale and obtaining an MBA from Harvard Proxmire became an admirer of FDR, although he gave speeches for Wendell Willkie in 1940, and developed an interest in politics. A brief Wall Street career was ended by a low draft number that provided an incentive to enlist in the Army before Pearl Harbor. He spent his war in Chicago in the Military Intelligence Service. After discharge he returned to Harvard to pursue studies in the Graduate School of Public Administration where he met and married Elsie Rockefeller, great-grand-daughter of William Rockefeller, the second largest shareholder in Standard Oil. Upon completion of his studies he interviewed with several newspaper before accepting a position with the Madison Capitol Times, partly because he saw Wisconsin as fertile ground where he could help a moribund Democratic party to grow.
In Wisconsin Proxmire became active in the Democratic party to the point that he made three unsuccessful runs for governor in the 1950s before his name recognition and popularity gained him an upset win in the 1957 special election to fill the unexpired term of the late Sen. Joseph McCarthy. In Washington Proxmire quickly earned a lasting reputation for independence beginning with his early challenge of the domination of the Democratic caucus by Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson. Over his 31 years in the Senate he was a voice for fiscal restraint, often targeting military spending and the Moon Shot. He fought for consumer protection and integrity in government. Although generally believing that a president should be able to appoint his own team and judges, he judged each case on the merits as evidenced by his votes against William Casey to the Security and Exchange Commission and for William Rehnquist to the Supreme Court. Strong on patriotism he was an early supporter of the Vietnam war, although he later changed his position and regretted his early actions. He maintained his pro-life stands. Ever the senator from Wisconsin, he tried to keep margarine off U.S. Navy tables and the Braves in Milwaukee.
While focusing on Proxmire’s political career, it does not neglect his personal qualities. His single-minded devotion to his duty and politics drove him to make almost every roll call vote in his career yet be in Wisconsin most weekends to shake hands at factory and Lambeau Field gates, restaurants and anywhere else his constituents would be found. A politician’s life is hard on family and the Proxmires paid the price with divorce from his first wife and a period of separation from the second. His committment to exercise and health routines made him a bizarre character to some and an inspiration to others.
Author Jonathan Kasparek has crafted a tome that captures the reader’s interest while it tells a story. He portrays a politician who blended principle with politics, who was willing to explain his positions rather than bend with every breeze and who chose to be the first senator from Wisconsin to voluntarily retire in 74 years. It is refreshing to read of a partisan senator who could work across the aisle to achieve results. This is a work for anyone with an interest in modern Wisconsin political history but what about readers elsewhere across the Fruited Plain? I remember Proxmire being mentioned on television and in the newspapers. I have never lived in Wisconsin although I have visited it often. I am a strong Republican who, generally speaking, would have hoped that Proxmire would have lost that 1957 election and never have been heard of again, yet as I read these pages my respect for their subject grew so that I caught myself rooting for him. Some book, some Senator!
I did receive a free copy of this book without an obligation to post a review.
December 18, 2020
I would only recommend this book to people specifically interested in Wisconsin politics or the US Senate from 1954 - 1988. Both the Senate and Wisconsin have changed so much since that period that it's hard to draw a lot of lessons or insights unless you're very interested in those topics. Contexts like the Vietnam War in the 60s and inflation in the 70s also scramble many clear throughlines to the present day.
For example, Proxmire challenges his own party and president constantly (and publicly) in ways that are impossible to imagine in today's world of polarized and nationalized politics. In terms of specific policy, his most notorious position: being categorically opposed to deficits, seems completely out of step with modern progressive thinking. What's more, Stephanie Kelton's MMT book (that I just read), makes a convincing case against hawks like Proxmire.
Interestingly, Proxmire's specific spending oppositions were usually directed at the military-industrial complex, which has gotten less scrutiny lately (though Sen. Sanders got a vote on an amdt to reduce the Pentagon budget by 10% recently). But back to my original point--Proxmire had a far easier time getting votes on his pet amendments during his days. Today, Sanders essentially has to get the blessing of leadership
What had originally drawn me to the book was that I'd heard stories of Proxmire's work ethic and campaigning style and those anecdotes did not disappoint. He was truly a one-man campaigning machine. He would go to factory gates, Lambeau Field, shopping malls, and random street corners to talk to anyone who would listen about his campaign. The idea of using a candidate's precious time to go to a street corner is amusing to think of today, but after reflecting on the perils of social-media driven campaigns, I started to wonder if maybe there is some wisdom in Proxmire's face-to-face campaign style.
The book moves at a pretty good pace. Kasparek, had clearly done meticulous research and interviews with contemporaries. Lots of amusing/interesting nuggets for those interested in the topics.
For example, Proxmire challenges his own party and president constantly (and publicly) in ways that are impossible to imagine in today's world of polarized and nationalized politics. In terms of specific policy, his most notorious position: being categorically opposed to deficits, seems completely out of step with modern progressive thinking. What's more, Stephanie Kelton's MMT book (that I just read), makes a convincing case against hawks like Proxmire.
Interestingly, Proxmire's specific spending oppositions were usually directed at the military-industrial complex, which has gotten less scrutiny lately (though Sen. Sanders got a vote on an amdt to reduce the Pentagon budget by 10% recently). But back to my original point--Proxmire had a far easier time getting votes on his pet amendments during his days. Today, Sanders essentially has to get the blessing of leadership
What had originally drawn me to the book was that I'd heard stories of Proxmire's work ethic and campaigning style and those anecdotes did not disappoint. He was truly a one-man campaigning machine. He would go to factory gates, Lambeau Field, shopping malls, and random street corners to talk to anyone who would listen about his campaign. The idea of using a candidate's precious time to go to a street corner is amusing to think of today, but after reflecting on the perils of social-media driven campaigns, I started to wonder if maybe there is some wisdom in Proxmire's face-to-face campaign style.
The book moves at a pretty good pace. Kasparek, had clearly done meticulous research and interviews with contemporaries. Lots of amusing/interesting nuggets for those interested in the topics.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews