Let me recommend Edwin O'Connor's 1956 novel The Last Hurrah. It was also made into a movie of that name starring Spencer Tracy, which is well reviewed but I have not seen.
The Last Hurrah follows the campaign of fictional mayorial candidate, Frank Skeffington, a former mayor with some background scandals, who decides to run for mayor in an unnamed city. People generally believe it describes Boston (Boston Mayor James M. Curley sued the film producers and won $40,000).
The novel describes the political scenes of the day, the people involved in politics, and how a political machine works. Or does not work, as the case may be. Skeffington is pretty sure he has enough moxie, money and support for an election victory. The novel follows various machinations. A classic character is nicknamed "Ditto" because he repeats whatever Skeffington says. My favorite scene is when Skeffington looks around a rally and believes he has won the election. A bit like the current delusions of Romney, George Will and various other Republican pundits--as well as their ardent followers who think the rest of the world is missing something.
Along with All the King's Men, one of the political classics.