Dapper Dan Flood: The Controversial Life of a Congressional Power Broker

by William C. Kashatus

Daniel J. Flood was among the last of the old-time movers and shakers on Capitol Hill. A flamboyant vaudevillian who became a Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania, he was a sight on the House floor, sporting white linen suits, silk top hats, and dark, flowing capes. Flood presented his addresses and arguments with the overly precise and clipped accent of an old-fashioned stage actor, and he reveled in the attention he attracted for every performance. At the same time, “Dapper Dan” understood the complexities of the old power politics and played the legislative game with sheer genius. He worked his will by employing the common practices that greased the wheels of the political process in the post–World War II persuasion, manipulation, arm-twisting, and grandiloquent oratory rarely matched by his congressional colleagues. Between 1945 and 1980, Flood used his clout as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee to wield near-veto power over the $300 billion federal budget. Flood was instrumental in funding the Cold War as well as the “Great Society” social reforms of the 1960s. This consummate pork-barrel politician was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for sixteen terms. Eventually accused of improprieties in arranging federal contracts, Flood became the subject of sweeping investigations by the U.S. Attorney General and the House Ethics Committee. Based on recently declassified FBI documents, court records, public papers, and contemporary newspaper accounts, as well as more than thirty interviews of Flood’s widow, congressional colleagues, and Capitol Hill staff, Dapper Dan Flood explodes the myths surrounding this controversial Pennsylvania congressman.

Genres: Politics, Biography

368 pages, Hardcover

First published February 8, 2010

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tip O'Neill's comment, "I lived my times as the times were," is a good summary of Daniel J. Flood's life as a United States Democratic Congressman from Pennsylvania's coal regions. With his Salvador Dali-like waxed mustache, his white suits and his bejeweled fingers, Flood was both a "show horse and a work horse" who operated in a time of pork barrel politics and consistently delivered for his constituents.

Flood came to Washington in 1945 as a disciple of the New Deal to represent an area with 19% unemployment. After a defeat in 1952 when Republicans won the presidency with Dwight Eisenhower, Flood regained his house seat in 1954, the first of twelve straight victories. With showmanship backed by deft political skills that could marry local and national interests, and by "twisting arms and banging heads," he helped raise the minimum wage from 40 cents to $1.25; got a major highway re-routed through his district; secured large War on Poverty grants; helped pass the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969; and secured $379 million in flood relief after Hurricane Agnes in 1972 - "one Flood against another." During his tenure, he befriended presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford. Ill health at the end of his term led him to place too much trust in an aide who was indicted for bribery in 1977. Flood was also indicted, but not prosecuted; he resigned in 1979 and died in 1994 at the age of 90.

Flood's story is a fascinating look-back at a time of a congenial atmosphere in Washington when politicians knew each other socially; before Congressmen's "perks" became conflicts of interest; and when it was still possible with the legislative genius of an LBJ or Dan Flood to strike deals to pass legislation on disaster relief, jobs creation and infrastructure. It's also nostalgic to read that Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn's support of a Flood political campaign amounted to $250 which was considered generous!

[Patrick Abdalla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill Kashatus does a good job writing about one of the most interesting people to ever hold office in the United States. In doing so, he avoids slipping into a hagiography and gives a thorough accounting of Flood’s fascinating and, at times, scandalous life.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what was worse when reading this book: the arrogant and atrocious behavior of former Congressman Flood, or the defense of his behavior by the author.