Reflections of A Radical Moderate

Andrew takes a look at Elliot Richardson's book Reflections of a Radical Moderate. It's not the greatest, but he has some unique insights into government.

June 30, 2002

1968 In America: Charles Kaiser's book looks at a turning point in American history.

Appearance of Impropriety: Reynolds and Morgan takes a look our contemporary ethics.

If the Gods Had Meant Us To Vote, They Would Have Given Us Candiates: Andrew takes a look at Jim Hightower's book, and isn't impressed.

In Defense of Government: The Fall and Rise of Public Trust: Andrew looks at Jacob Weisberg's book In Defense of Government, and finds it an interesting read.

Out of Iraq: George McGovern's latest book on Iraq is worth a read.

Radical Center: The Future of American Politics: A book review on the book Radical Center.

Return of Thrift: Longman questions whether or not the middle class is on the verge of collapse.

Shooting Straight: A look at gun control through the eyes of the NRA.

Strange Death of American Liberalism: Brands' book looks at the history of liberalism.

The World is Flat (?): Reviewing Thomas Friedman's Book on globalization.

Up 'Til Now: Eugene McCarthy's Memoir is an interesting history and commentary on contemporary politics.

Reflections of A Radical Moderate

Elliot Richardson probably has more experience in various government functions then almost any politician that I can think of. He has been the United States Attorney General under Nixon (think Saturday Night Massacure), Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General of Massachusetts, secretary of HEW and later defense, as an ambassador to Great Britain, and so much more. It's pretty impressive at any rate.

More interestly, he is one of the few modern-day liberal 'Rockefeller' Republicans, and his moderate, yet destinctly Republican views are reflected in the book. He condems extremism, yet promotes moderation.

I found the book to be kind of a long read, and some sections were a bit dry, but in general it was a good book. While it is only about 280 pgs. it took me a couple of weeks to read, probably because I couldn't get myself to sit down and spend the time reading it all at once.

There was not an awful lot that I could disagree with him on the book, as he took mostly common sense arguments, and defended them. That said, I disagree with him on his position of nuclear power—it's so dangerous, and it's danger lasts forever, therefore the stakes are just too high for it. I prefer the alternative of global climate change to taking the risk of nuclear power. Maybe that's just a left-ism of me.

For calling himself a radical moderate, you have to wonder what he is so radical about. None of his positions seem that extreme, or for that matter radical. Yet he seems to feel the pain and understands the problems of the middle and lower classes.

I think it's worth a read, but it's not that spectaluar. Elliot Richardson knows his stuff, and understands the world well, so it's great to hear from him.