Mo Book

This book appeared at first glance to offer a good, substantial overview of Senator Mike Mansfield's tenure as Majority leader in the federal upper house. However, the author does not list any of the sources that were utilized to put the book together. Further--and perhaps most fatally--the author makes a grievous error when discussing the changes to the cloture rule in the Senate.

When originally invoked in 1919, the number of senators needed to invoke cloture on legislation was 3/5 of all those "present and voting." In 1975, when the cloture rule was revised, it was altered to state that 2/3 of all "duly chosen and sworn" senators were needed to end a filibuster; the wording is an obscure, but crucial change in the total number of members needed to invoke cloture. However, the author indicates when discussing the 1975 cloture rule change that "the Senate reduced the required vote to cut off filibusters from 2/3 to 3/5 of the senators voting" (page 268), which simply is not accurate.

This book is fortunate to receive even one star from me; I am feeling generous to offer that high of a ranking for the work.