The Political Scene: The Fall of Conservatism

New Yorker by George Packer | May. 25, 2008 (Special Report)

Have the Republicans runout of ideas?

In the past two months, Democratic targets of polarization attacks have won three special congressional elections, in solidly Republican districts in Illinois, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Political tactics have a way of outliving their ability to respond to the felt needs and aspirations of the electorate: Democrats continued to accuse Republicans of being like Herbert Hoover well into the nineteen-seventies; Republicans will no doubt accuse Democrats of ... Full Story »

Posted by Beth Wellington

See All Reviews »

View

5.0

by Connie Deady - Oct. 1, 2008

Thought provoking and historical analysis of the last 40 years of the Republican party and why it is where it is. One tenet of the article is that they are better at winning elections than governing. It you hate government, then you probably won't work very hard at making it competent. Then you get Katrina. Whhen th country faces major problems, they look to government for solutions. That's an ideological problem for the Republican party today. Very well-sourced and researched article.