Inside The Belly Of The Beast

Progressives should be both encouraged and wary about what Rick Perlstein experienced firsthand at the Republican National Convention. In my interview with Perlstein for my LiberalOasis radio show, he contrasts his visit to St. Paul with his experience at the 2004 Republican convention, and concludes that "the myth of the omnicompetent...conservative political machine that can crush cities with its bare hands has to be retired for good."

But Perlstein adds that we underestimate the importance of John McCain's choice for a running mate, Sarah Palin, at our peril, for she represents the continuation of a long-running pattern of conservatives attempting to use the "culture war" to maintain political control. In this podcast, Rick and I explore the signs of hope that could be gleaned from St. Paul as well as the scarier moments.