I’m reading The Fear Brokers, a book that Thomas McIntyre, a U.S. Senator from New Hampshire, wrote about the emerging New Right in 1978 as the New Right was in the process of unseating him. I mean, how else would I spend my free time?!
Anyway, the similarities between then and now are wild. Free-floating right-wing grievance that would cohere for a time around single issues, revolutions in political communications (direct mail then, a host of social media platforms now), an uncertain and divided center-left, the shadow of a racist demagogue (George Wallace then, Trump now) whose voters the ideologically committed right wing was trying to cement, inflation (considerably worse then, of course). Roger Stone himself even shows up.
Do you think it’s valid to understand today’s Republican Party as nothing so much as the apotheosis of the New Right of that time?
It's not a straight line, but there's a lot of continuity -- denigration of government, celebration of business genius, etc.
What's remarkable is what's been unwound -- Reagan went to lengths to downplay accusations of racism and leaned into immigration, even embracing amnesty.
Where's the picture of Sarge? We need us some Sarge!
Added!
Thank you! Made my day!
I’m reading The Fear Brokers, a book that Thomas McIntyre, a U.S. Senator from New Hampshire, wrote about the emerging New Right in 1978 as the New Right was in the process of unseating him. I mean, how else would I spend my free time?!
Anyway, the similarities between then and now are wild. Free-floating right-wing grievance that would cohere for a time around single issues, revolutions in political communications (direct mail then, a host of social media platforms now), an uncertain and divided center-left, the shadow of a racist demagogue (George Wallace then, Trump now) whose voters the ideologically committed right wing was trying to cement, inflation (considerably worse then, of course). Roger Stone himself even shows up.
Do you think it’s valid to understand today’s Republican Party as nothing so much as the apotheosis of the New Right of that time?
It's not a straight line, but there's a lot of continuity -- denigration of government, celebration of business genius, etc.
What's remarkable is what's been unwound -- Reagan went to lengths to downplay accusations of racism and leaned into immigration, even embracing amnesty.
We need a Sarge picture to get us through the holiday season.
My bad. Just added.
I hope you have a great holiday. Thank you for the education and I look forward to the commentary in 2024. Rest up!
Please grade this response from a, Yale history major, Harvard law school educated, Governor of Florida, who was once a high school history teacher. Of course, I would enjoy your commentary. https://floridapolitics.com/archives/649764-ron-desantis-doesnt-know-what-donald-trump-meant-by-poisoning-the-blood/
Sweet Fancy Jesus.
The charitable reading is that he's an idiot.
Thanks for adding that picture of sarge. Have a wonderful holiday season.
What are you getting Sarge for Xmas?
His favorite -- table scraps