Category: Political Reform
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Government In the Spotlight
Kefauver’s high-profile Senate hearings demonstrated his theory about how the legislature could remain relevant and serve the public. His colleagues didn’t understand the theory – so they didn’t understand him either.
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Never A Question
Kefauver spent twenty years trying to pass his signature political reform proposal. It was a good idea that convinced a lot of people – just not the ones he needed.
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A Real Ladies’ Man
Estes Kefauver took women seriously – as voters and as campaign workers. In his time, that was rarer that it seemed.
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When the Dam Breaks
When the Eisenhower administration tried to kill a public power project, Kefauver fought back with hearings that exposed a giveaway to private industry. He couldn’t save the dam, but won a different victory.
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I Can’t See Clearly Now
Kefauver believed that the people should have the power in America, and he backed his words with actions. Voters got it. Why didn’t reporters?
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Legen-dairy: Kefauver’s Wisconsin Connection
Kefauver and the Badger State understood each other. In 1957, long shot Bill Proxmire stunned the world and reached the Senate using Kefauver’s playbook – with Kefauver’s help.
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A Complicated Heritage
For two decades, the American Heritage Foundation preached the importance of community and civic engagement. Their message was valuable, but it missed something important… something that Kefauver understood.
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The Destruction of Coya Knutson
The trailblazing Minnesota Congresswoman defied the party establishment to support Kefauver. The party establishment responded by ruining her career.
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Too Much Democracy
The press didn’t approve of Kefauver’s way of campaigning for President. Their criticism belied a deeper unease with the primary system.
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Support Your Local Sheriff!
The crime hearings earned Kefauver a reputation as a racket-buster. But that reputation obscured what he really tried to accomplish.
