plunkitt essay
In the book of Plunkitt of Tammany Hall written by William L. Riordon, George Washington Plunkitt came from poor beginnings and made his way up to become a head leader of the Fifteenth Assembly District in New York, a main leader in the political team of Tammany Hall, and a millionaire. George Washington Plunkitt was brought up in Tammany Hall, he learned how to reach out to the voters and it wasn’t how every other politician reaches out to voters by stating the facts, Plunkitt reached in a way that touched the hearts of the voters. He believed that arguments and campaign literature never gained votes. (p.86) Plunkitt talked openly about how young men can succeed in politics to get power and how to keep it. He states some mistakes that young politicians make when trying to become successful. One mistake would be that cramming books in your face to learn how to be successful in politics is not the best idea, but doesn’t disagree with attending college. Another mistake mentioned is, “some young men think that the best way to prepare for the political game is to practice speakin’ and becomin’ orators.”(p.8) Plunkitt wants the young men to wait quietly and listen to what’s being said all around before mentioning anything. After mentioning some mistakes not to do, Plunkitt wants to suggest some tips on what to do based on what he did to succeed in politics as he did. As Plunkitt states, “What I did was to get some marketable goods before going to the leaders.” He approached his cousin who had no interest in politics and told him that he was going to be a politician and wanted to get a following, he asked his cousin if he would and his cousin agree. Then he approached the district leader and told him that he had two votes, his cousins and his own. The district leader told him to go ahead. Plunkitt started off in a small business way, but he soon branched out and suggested that that was the only way to become a long lasting statesman. Plunkitt stresses