A telegram has been received which states that Leffingwell was a member of a small Communist cell determined to bring Communism to America. This is too much for many members of the Majority, who believe all cards should be on the table when dealing with the Communists.Īs the hearings unfold, evidence is brought forth regarding Leffingwell’s past as a professor at the University of Chicago. Leffingwell goes on to stun even more members of the subcommittee when he says that he will never advise the President to go to war unless the United States is attacked first. When asked where he would draw the line, Leffingwell will not say. He is willing to make serious concessions to the Russians to do this. Anderson, of the Majority, has serious reservations about Leffingwell’s liberal attitudes toward foreign policy.ĭuring the subcommittee hearings, even members of the Majority are dismayed to learn that Leffingwell emerges as a candidate determined to achieve peace at any price. Senator Brigham Anderson is put in charge. A subcommittee is formed to specifically question and discuss Leffingwell. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is called to consider the nomination. The media is nearly completely behind Leffingwell. He believes he will have more than enough votes to get Leffingwell through. Nevertheless, Munson falls in line to rally the Senators. No matter where Senators fall on Leffingwell, nearly all are perplexed by the President’s desire to rush the nomination through confirmation and how little the President has consulted with anyone. Chief in opposition to Leffingwell is the very conservative Minority Senator Seabright Cooley of South Carolina. Some conservatives line up against Leffingwell, while some members of the Minority party wish to learn more about him before making up their minds. Most notable in his support is Senator Fred Van Ackerman. Leffingwell has the support of many in the Majority party, especially the liberal wing. Senator Bob Munson, Majority Leader, unexpectedly learns of Leffingwell’s nomination through the news media, having had no previous notification from the President, also of the Majority party. It recounts the confirmation process surrounding the President’s controversial nomination to Secretary of State, Robert A. “Advise and Consent” is a political drama novel by Allen Drury.

Advice and consent allen drury