The executive Washington editor of The Wall Street Journal chronicles the 40-year rise and decline of the conservative movement in America, sharing insights into the roles of such contributors as the Federalist Society, the NRA and Fox News.
Followers of contemporary political history will appreciate how Seib gathers together the many strands of people and events culminating in present realities.
... well-written if familiar ... Seib’s history echoes the outlook of the #NeverTrump movement. If the origins of conservatism were relatively pristine, then there can be a version of Republicanism that doesn’t tolerate a president tweeting out videos of a supporter yelling 'white power!' at protesters ... But Seib plays down what was there all along. The decision to stir a white backlash dates back at least to Richard Nixon’s 1968 'law and order' campaign. The role of reactionary populism, including nativism and anti-Semitism, was always relevant, even if past politicians used dog whistles instead of bullhorns.
