tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post276203725397523864..comments2023-10-16T07:13:12.123-05:00Comments on A plain blog about politics: December 8, 1972Jonathan Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15931039630306253241noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-19752321095495455042012-12-09T12:46:42.251-06:002012-12-09T12:46:42.251-06:00I've been enjoying these Watergate posts enorm...I've been enjoying these Watergate posts enormously. "How the Good Guys Finally Won", Breslin's Watergate book (starring Tip O'Neill) is still a thoroughly enjoyable read---in part because Breslin is so attuned the little, unforeseeable events that change history, like the plane crash that elevated O'Neill to the majority leader post (and, given Speaker Carl Albert's alcoholism and relative weakness as a leader, de facto the most powerful Democrat in the House). <br /><br />Breslin also makes note of the importance of Liz Holtzman's upset primary victory (by over longtime Judiciary Committee chairman and Brooklyn Democratic machine regular Manny Cellar, which elevated the soft-spoken, patient, consensus-building Peter Rodino to chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee in 1973.massappealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17883213166005005577noreply@blogger.com