The Running Mate

Hailed as "astonishingly powerful" by The New York Times, and "written perfectly" by The Washington Post, Joe Kleins #1 bestseller, Primary Colors, was the most-talked-about political novel of the past century. Now acclaimed journalist and author Joe Klein returns with another brilliant and slyly subversive novel set in the gladiatorial arena he knows so well: politics in modern-day America.

U.S. senator Charlie Martin is a hot political property, dashing, honorable, irreverent -- and a decorated Vietnam veteran. The Running Mate follows this brash hero on a wild, exhilarating ride through the minefields of politics as usual.

But as Charlie quickly learns, combat is a cakewalk compared with the battles waged by free men in pursuit of glory and power. For Charlies political star is beginning to wane ... a bid for the presidency ends in failure ... a young campaign volunteers father decks him -- in front of the cameras ... a well-kept secret from Charlies Vietnam days is revealed ... and a woman has entered his life -- one who loves him but is appalled by his lifes work.

Suddenly Charlie must confront the two greatest challenges of his life -- a political opponent who has no scruples and a dazzling, unconventional woman who may force him to choose between love and politics. Charlies dilemma is one that has come to haunt contemporary American politics: Is it possible to be a good politician and a good man?