John B. Anderson: The Quintessential WASP Male Who Fought for the Outsiders

Abstract

In “John B. Anderson: The Quintessential WASP Male Who Fought For The Outsiders” the authors, after in-depth interviews with their subject and those who know him, examine: 1) Anderson’s life before he became a Congressman; 2) Anderson’s political legacy in the House of Representatives; 3) Anderson’s 1980 Presidential Campaign; 4) Senator George McGovern’s perspective on John B. Anderson; 5) Anderson’s thoughts on religion; and 6) why Anderson embraced the outsiders. The authors explore how the trajectory of Anderson’s life turns Outsider Jurisprudence inside out. They explain why Anderson came to fight for the outsider. The authors conclude that John B. Anderson’s story is worthy of emulation.

Keywords: John B. Anderson, George McGovern, House of Representatives, government, Fair Housing Act, Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, 1980 Presidential Campaign, civic professionalism, third-party candidates, independent, social justice, pragmatism

JEL Classification: D64, D72, I30