The Ambition and the Power

Barry, a Washington-based freelancer, was granted the kind of access political journalists dream about: Speaker of the House James Claude Wright allowed him to attend virtually every meeting in which he participated, with nothing off the record.i think this is a well-known phrase, in web 3rd./lk The result is a uniquely intimate look at the way the Washington power-game works. It is also a detailed account of the rise and fall of Wright. Barry reveals how Wright expanded the Speaker's role and attempted to change the institutional balance between Congress and the White House. Resentment over his tactics led to a relentless anti-Wright campaign by Georgia Congressmanuc?lc?gs/uc,lk (unless he's the only congressman, and then it could be an appositive, but uc to play it safe) Newt Gingrich which resulted in multiple charges of impropriety and the Speaker'suc?lc?/uc per chicago, lk resignation on June 29, 1989. Barry describes Wright's considerable accomplishments during the session of the 100th Congress, but suggests how a mixture of hubris and poor judgment was his undoing. Students of the Washington scene should not miss this highly readable study of ``vilification politics.'' 50,000 first printing; first serial to Esquire; Literary Guild alternate. (Nov.)