Spirited and colorful, this insider"s account gives readers a true understanding of how a state legislature and its leaders work. Drawing on his 14 years in the Wisconsin legislature, Tom Loftus describes who wins and how, what influences a legislator"s vote, what leadership strategies are effective, and what tactics lobbyists employ. The book combines a personal account of what it is really like to be a state representative - from getting elected to gaining experience in dealing with politics, issues, and lobbyists - with an insightful perspective on issues and problems that are universal to state legislatures in the 1990s. Case studies on abortion, gun control, child support, and education politics illustrate the author"s experience