There once was a day when politics

There once was a day when politics was about quick witted men speaking directly to the constituency. The Last Hurrah by Edwin OConnor is about the end of those days in Boston. The mayor of Boston is running for one last term as mayor. This is the tale of that race and of Frank Skeffingtons life in politics. OConnor uses comic relief through out the book to tell an entertaining story of how American politics really operated. Frank Skeffington is a seventy-two year old man and a veteran in politics. He is now the mayor of Boston and was governor for two terms in a row. Because he held office as governor, many people still refer to him as governor. He is a devote Irish Catholic whos wife had an early demise, and so he was left with a son and daughter. He does not have a good relationship with his children because his life is consumed with politics. He is an average man who spends his spare time reading poetry. He built his political life upon personal contact; he is well respected and has an irresistible charm. Skeffington is an orthodox democrat who loved to win, but he loved the fight to win more. Some say Skeffington is financially corrupt and becomes morally corrupt in his pursuit of power. Skeffington was not going to run in the election but changed his mind. At first he said it was because he wanted to, but then later explained it was because he felt there was not any good candid! ates and he did not want to leave the city in the hands of a weak mayor. Kevin McCluskey is young, vibrant lawyer who decides to run for mayor. He is also an Irish Catholic democrat who everyone seems to like. He is a good man who does not drink or smoke and spends every morning in church. In a television broadcast, there was a picture of the Pope in the background. As a lawyer, he did not win many cases. McCluskey is very family-oriented and he brings his family along on a...