Dissecting the backlash
Just finished this - the UK edition of What's the Matter with Kansas?
It's extremely good and deliciously readable - an indispensable discussion of how contemporary right wing culture works. This book has permanently enriched my ability to 'read' current politics - not only in USA (for example), but also here in NZ. It'll be interesting seeing how important 'backlash' will be in our own upcoming election. Which reminds me, I really must finish reading Nicky Hager's The Hollow Men...
In the meantime, here's Thomas Frank commenting on the Obama "bitter" comments controversy, which was a perfect example of cynical 'backlash' campaigning in action - all the more ironic given that Obama's initial remarks were nothing more than a concise summary of Frank's argument (as numerous commentators have noted).
