Primary Colors

Primary Colors: A Novel of Politics is a 1996 novel by "Anonymous" (later revealed to be journalist Joe Klein). Primary Colors is a roman à clef (French for "novel with a key," real-life events in the guise of fiction) inspired by U.S. President Bill Clinton's first presidential campaign in 1992. While many characters and events in the

novel are based on reality, much of the book is fictional. The book centers on Henry Burton (thought to represent George Stephanopoulos), a black campaign aide for southern governor Jack Stanton (thought to represent Bill Clinton). It is thought to be influenced by an earlier roman à clef of American politics, Robert Penn Warren's All the King's Men (1946). There is a sequel of sorts to the novel (also by Joe Klein but not anonymously), The Running Mate, published in 2000. Campaigner and former Congressional worker Henry Burton is asked to join the presidential campaign of Southern governor Jack Stanton. At the start of the campaign, things appear to be going smoothly; there are individuals on board, and moments of disagreement on campaign issues are few and far between, the governor really does appear to care—for people and legislation—and goes out