Max Blumenthal's Book Tour

by Mary

Tonight Max Blumenthal spoke at Powell's in Portland, Oregon about his new book, Republican Gomorrah: Inside the Movement that Shattered the Party. This is an important book covering the history of the political movement of the religious right, the major players in it and their culture of personal crisis which has taken over the Republican Party. The story he tells is that as the far right has succeeded in taking over the party, it has gotten more influential within the party, but has increasingly marginalized the party from the American public. But that doesn't mean they can't regain power, especially if the public becomes increasingly cynical.

As an example of the power of the religious right, even Newt Gingrich has kowtowed to James Dobson in order to rebuild his political career. And if you wonder what that says about Dobson, as Max pointed out, when Gingrich was the Speaker of the House, Dobson had not believed that Gingrich was conservative enough, because in his "Contract with America" he never mentioned abortion or religion. And so, Dobson used Tom DeLay to take out Gingrich. Gingrich got the message, because just this year, he went on Dobson's program and confessed to his misdeeds and his fealty to the cause and is now seen as acceptable to Dobson. Max said that he thought it would be great to see a face-off between Gingrich who is reaching to be the next Catholic candidate and Rick (man-on-dog) Santorum as the most orthodox Catholic candidate. It would be a dream campaign for someone like Max who is always looking for a bit of humor in his daily dose of politics.

If you have an opportunity, do catch Max on his book tour, and support his great investigative work by buying a copy of his book. For those in the Bay Area, Max will be speaking in Berkeley at the First Congregational Church tomorrow (September 29) at 7:30pm.