Forrest J. Wright

The Book That Reminds Democrats of Their Roots

Revisado: 11-19-18

After the shellacking the Democrats and progressives took in the 2016 election, they managed to retake the House of Representatives this November. Now they are arguing about whether Nancy Pelosi should retain her leadership role and disagreeing about what Democrats and progressives stand for. This book, The Revolution of 28, takes the reader back to the roots of progressivism in the last century. It was born out of urban working-class beliefs about pluralism (big tent), excessive income inequality, labor safety, minimum wage, and lack of positions of power for immigrants, women, Catholics, and the poor. In the early 1900s that progressivism was embodied in the 1928 Democratic candidate for President, Alfred E. Smith. The book follows his fascinating journey from an operative in the corrupt Tammany Hall political organization, later embracing the progressive agenda of his day, and becoming the beloved, three-term Governor of New York. He lost to Herbert Hover in the 1928 Presidential election, but the legislation he championed as Governor of New York later provided a blueprint for New Deal legislation under Franklin D. Roosevelt. The counter-point of progressivism as an ideal and progressivism as played out by a flesh and blood politician brings this story to life.

So, Democrats (and fair-minded Republicans), unsure about what progressivism stands for, should read and ponder Robert Chiles excellent book. In some ways, upper-middle-class Democrats are pulling the party away from its roots with their concerns about mortgage interest deductions and forgiveness of student debt. The narration by Peter Lerman is superb. You will not miss a word.

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