Primary_Colors_(book) Primary_Colors_(book)

Primary Colors (book) - Definition and Overview
Related Words: Aboriginal, Antenatal, Anterior, Arch, Autochthonous, Banner, Bare, Basal, Basic, Beginning, Bottom, Budding, Capital, Cardinal, Caucus, Central, Champion, Chief

Primary Colors is a 1996 novel by Anonymous (later revealed by Donald Foster to be journalist Joe Klein), a Roman à clef about Bill Clinton's first presidential campaign in 1992. The book centers around Henry Burton, who's roped into being something of a campaign manager for southern governor Jack Stanton (Bill Clinton).

The popular book (a success in part fueled by speculation over the identity of the author) was made into a 1998 movie starring John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, Adrian Lester, Kathy Bates, and Maura Tierney. Kathy Bates was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie.

This chart shows each character, what real-life person they're based on, and who played them in the movie.

CharacterReal LifeActor
governor/candidateJack StantonBill ClintonJohn Travolta
his wifeSusan StantonHillary ClintonEmma Thompson
her friendLucille KaufmanSusan ThomasesCaroline Aaron
their childJackie StantonChelsea Clinton[unknown]
campaign managerHenry BurtonGeorge StephanopoulosAdrian Lester
campaign chairHoward FergusonHarold Ickes Jr.Paul Guilfoyle
campaign consultantRichard JemmonsJames CarvilleBilly Bob Thornton
campaign defenderLibby HoldenBetsey WrightKathy Bates
media advisorArlen SporkenFrank GreerBen Jones
campaign consultantDaisy GreenMandy GrunwaldMaura Tierney
campaign consultantNorman AsherDavid GarthRobert Klein
pollsterLeon BirnbaumStan Greenberg
affair alledgingCashmere McLeodGennifer FlowersGia Carides
possible candidateOrlando OzioMario Cuomo[not seen]
his sonJimmy OzioAndrew CuomoRobert Cicchini
possible candidateCharlie MartinBob KerreyChelcie Ross
possible candidateBart NilsonTom HarkinRobert Symonds
candidateLawrence HarrisPaul TsongasKevin Cooney
replacement candidateFred PickerJerry BrownLarry Hagman
black leaderLuther CharlesJesse Jackson
congressional leaderWilliam LarkinRichard A. "Dick" Gephardt
congressional leaderDonny O'BrienTip O'Neill
reporterJerry RosenJoe Klein
reporterA. P. CauleyR. W. Apple, Jr.
Moderate Democrats of AmericaDemocratic Leadership Council (DLC)
their founderArthur KoppAl From
headquartersMammoth FallsLittle Rock, Arkansas
hometownGrace JunctionHope, Arkansas

Clean sweep

In the book, Florida Governor Fred Picker campaigned by waving a broom and shouting that they'd make a clean sweep. It's not clear which candidate, if any, this is based on.

In 2002, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan hoisted a broom and shouted “I want you to go find the biggest broom in your house and get ready for a clean sweep in November!” [1] (http://illinoisissues.uis.edu/features/2002oct/sweep.html) Arnold Schwarzenegger has also used similar symbolism, and David Miller built his successful campaign for mayor of Toronto around the image of a broom and a clean sweep.

Related film

  • The War Room, a documentary of the Clinton's first campaign.
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