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I Swear

Politics Is Messier Than My Minivan

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “high-octane, no-bullshit” (The New Republic) memoir about re-energizing our politics and standing up to corporate America—while carting three kids around in a minivan.
 
“Just like her whiteboard schoolings of CEOs, this book showcases Katie’s ability to entertain while making the inner workings of Congress more accessible than ever before.”—Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Never having run for office before, Katie Porter charted a new path in 2018 when she was elected to Congress as a Democrat in historically conservative Orange County, California. Underestimated as a single mom and chided for her progressive values, Katie defied expectations. Then, using her signature whiteboard, she began to take CEOs and corrupt government officials to task in Congressional hearings. The videos went viral, introducing Americans to her no-bullshit style, and making her a coveted guest on cable news and late-night television.  
 
I SWEAR: Politics Is Messier Than My Minivan is a witty, down-to-earth exploration of what it’s really like to serve in Congress, particularly as a single mom. Katie offers Americans a clear picture of what their elected leaders are doing—and how they’re doing it—exposing the gaps between politicians’ press conferences and real people’s lives. 
 
Katie reveals how her challenges as an Iowa farmgirl diverted her to the Ivy League and how she came to see herself as a Californian, teaching law and raising three kids in Orange County. She shares why she made the jump from academia to politics and how she quickly mastered the art of making CEOs and cabinet members squirm when they bluff and bloviate instead of doing the job for America.
 
With the same clarity she demonstrates in Congressional hearings, Katie makes the case for consumer protection, corporate accountability, and anti-corruption reforms. She pulls back the curtain on the political messaging machine, campaign fundraising, and Congress’ traditions, showing that the way things have always worked, in fact, does not work for a Congressperson without someone at home to do the shopping and take care of the kids. Along the way, she provides whiteboard lessons on where your campaign donations go, how to fight the corporations that cheat you, and how to conduct her trademark robust oversight. 
 
Full of candid and inspiring stories—from how Katie lent Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez a pair of sneakers during the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, to her kids’ lightly illegal campaign hijinks—this is a book by an exhausted, committed parent who just doesn’t have the time for nonsense in her house or in the House of Representatives.
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    • Library Journal

      June 10, 2024

      Congresswoman Porter is famous for her viral social media moments, writing on her whiteboard while grilling CEOs and corporate officers who can't or won't answer even simple questions. A former law professor, Porter is passionate about providing oversight and teaching constituents about the issues. In this debut memoir, she shares her life's story, tracing her journey from her childhood on an Iowa farm to the Ivy League to her 2018 election to the U.S. House of Representatives. To top it off, she is also a suburban single mom raising three kids in Irvine, CA. Porter honestly discusses her triumphs and challenges, offering a performance that perfectly matches her persona on television and video. Listeners will enjoy hearing her frustrations and joys as she balances her family and professional responsibilities. Her no-nonsense attitude comes through, and her forthright, authentic voice captivates. Porter has been reelected to her seat three times without accepting any funding from political action committees; her story is an inspiring example of how government can work if people focus on service and do what they say. VERDICT Funny, honest, relatable, and smart, this audiobook will enhance any library's political science or memoir collection.--Christa Van Herreweghe

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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