I spoke with Ezra Klein
Klein had me on his podcast. This is what ensued.
I had a long conversation with Ezra Klein about the current moment, its parallels and divergences from the Second Red Scare of the McCarthy era, and three recommendations for books to read. I chose one book of poetry, which I hope you will all ready, one book of history, and one book of political theory.
Klein had nice things to say about my book The Reactionary Mind: “in my opinion,” he said, it’s “one of the most insightful books you can read on the Trumpist right and what is behind it.” He read it twice, and I could see all the notes he had taken on it.
The funnest part of the interview happened off-screen. I wore my “city workers for Zohran” pin, which you can see prominently displayed throughout the show. One of the security guards asked me about it. I said I was big supporter of Zohran and asked her whether she was, too. She flashed me a sly smile, looked around the lobby as if to remind me where we were, in the Palace of Objectivity, and said, in a faux-officious voice, “I work for the New York Times.” I laughed so hard I’m sure they heard me in Times Square.
Anyway, have a listen.
Sincere question — why is it that the through-line of religious fundamentalism is never mentioned? Whether true believers or those who use it as a tool, they are the structure through which most of conservatism accomplishes its goals. From McCarthy to Carr we cannot continue avoiding talking about this powerful engine and what is required as a response.
Additionally, some have argued that the foundational bond between McCarthy and Joseph Kennedy was Catholicism first, Irish second, and anti-communism third. That JFK abstained from the vote to censure McCarthy in 1954 was not inconsequential.