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Robert W. McKnight

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The Golden Years...The Florida Legislature, '70s and '80s
by Robert W. McKnight   
Books by Robert W. McKnight
· Accidental Ambition
· The Golden Years...The Florida Legislature, '70s and '80s    >> View all

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Kindle Edition
Amazon
Golden Years Political Collection

Category:  Memoir
Publisher: Sentry Press

ISBN-10:  1889574287

Type: Non-Fiction

Pages: 247

Copyright: 
November, 2007
ISBN-13: 9781889574288


A former State Senator describes his experiences, people and issues central to Florida's political "Golden Era," of the 1970's and 80's.

As a result of Florida's skyrocketing population growth in the 1950's and 60's, particularly in South Florida, the U.S. Supreme Court declared the state the "most malapportioned"  in the country.  It was mandated that Florida reapportion itself in accordance with "one person, one vote," or the Court would do it.  After numerous attempts, the Florida Legislature passed an apportionment scheme approved the Court.  The result was political "war"--incumbents running against incumbents, new, bi-partisan faces with no ties to the "good ole boy" political establishment.  Names like Reubin Askew, Lawton Chiles, and Bob Graham surfaced for the first time.  Generally, the profile of the new lawmakers was better educated, urban oriented, energetic, and visonary.  The sleepy Capitol was a buzz with excitement, even to the point of electing it's first Republican Governor since Reconstruction, who once described his girlfriend as "Madam X."  A former State Representative and Senator who served during that era describes the experiences in detail in a new, nationally acclaimed book, that is being made into a PBS televison documentary.



Excerpt

"I arrived for my appointment with Governor Askew in the Old Capitol...After we shook hands, I started to sit down and then heard a thunderous bang--the Governor slammed his fist on his desk...I thought to myself, "I have blown this golden opportunity, and this was just my first committee meeting."


Professional Reviews

New York Times Florida Newspapers
The book is full of vignettes and interactions with other lawmakers and state leaders, including McKnight's relationship with two governors, Reubin Askew and Bob Graham.

Tallahassee Democrat/Gannett News
...his book is brief--refreshingly so, for a politican's memoir. McKnight's memoirs may be as relevant to today's Republican era...But the basics haven't changed, and his tales are worth the telling.

Scripps' Florida Newspapers
In what began as a memoir, "The Golden Years,"...presents Florida politics of the 1970's and 80's as a model for today's government, and raises questions of the benefits of tradition versus change.


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Reviews for "The Golden Years...The Florida Legislature, '70s and '80s"

Reviewed by John Domino 1/18/2010
Wow! This brings back fond memories!
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