Storming the Statehouse: Running for Governor with Ann Richards and Dianne Feinstein

Advocacy journalism written with a feminist slant, this is a powerful, knowing, instructive, ingratiating recreation, as Morris ( Fanny Wright ), taking to the 1990 gubernatorial campaign trails in Texas and California, introduces us to two inspiring women and bruising politics. Ann Richards proved to be a winner not only with the Texas electorate but with the author as well. The former state treasurer captured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination from Jim Mattox, state attorney general, then narrowly defeated Republican contender Clayton Williams in a vituperative race made even sleazier by the good ol' boy millionaire rancher's assertions that his opponent--a member of AA and divorced mother of four--was a drug addict and lesbian. By comparison, San Francisco mayor Dianne Feinstein's unsuccessful (by 300,000 votes) gubernatorial race against Republican Pete Wilson, U.S. senator, after she bested state attorney general John Van de Kamp in the Democratic primary, was politics as usual. Morris is hard put to make the admirable Feinstein as appealing as Richards, resulting in the book's less vivid second half. Still, so fully are readers caught up in the excitement, uncertainties and manipulations of the political process that they will be held fast. (Apr.)