The Machine: A Field Guide to the Resurgent Right - Softcover

Fang, Lee

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1595586393 ISBN 13: 9781595586391

Publisher: The New Press, 2013

Synopsis

Before Barack Obama had even taken the oath of office after his historic victory in 2008, cadres of lobbyists, oil tycoons, and right-wing politicians met to plan his political demise. The massive conservative infrastructure created by business groups beginning in the 1970s would not be sufficient, they concluded: in the age of Obama, something new—and bold—had to be done.

Four years later, the blogger who exposed the nefarious Koch brothers and who first reported on the lobbyists who brought us the Tea Parties gives us a brilliant, withering exposé of the plans to make America conservative again. Informed by years of deep research and firsthand reporting, Lee Fang "knows it better than anyone writing today" (Jennifer Granholm). He dissects the dynamics of the conservative message machine, traces the money trail, and explicates how the right-wing machine has cleverly adapted to crush Obama and progressive reform. Fang also takes stock of the 2012 election results, warning us that, with Obama's reelection, the right is only going to dig deeper ideological trenches.

One of the star investigative journalists of his generation, Fang has been hailed as a "fearless American muckraker" (Jane Mayer, The New Yorker). In this indispensable handbook, he sheds light on the darkest corners of the new conservative movement, telling the story of the people, the money, and the strategies that makes it tick. The Machine is essential reading for anyone concerned about the future of our democracy.

About this title

About the Author

Lee Fang is a former blogger for ThinkProgress and a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in national publications including the Boston Globe. He is a regular commentator on MSNBC and NPR, and his work has led to calls for investigations in Congress and the FEC. This is his first book. Fang lives in San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Review

"I can't imagine a better guide to the political machine of the right than Lee Fang. His investigative skill and keen eye for the way power operates and money corrupts are dazzling."
—Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor and publisher, The Nation

"Progressives: get thee immediately to a bookstore and pick up a copy of The Machine; there is no time to waste. Lee Fang documents in lively detail the cogs, axles, sockets, levers, and output of the most insidious political machine in our history the resurgent right. The reach of this machine is hair-raising, but in order to overcome it, one must know it. Fang, with his years of reporting and insight, knows it better than anyone writing today, and he presents a compelling field guide for smart progressives. A must-read for the left and anyone concerned about the takeover of democracy by the wealthy few."
Jennifer Granholm, former governor of Michigan

"With our lawmakers more beholden than ever to dark money, Lee’s book couldn’t have come at a better time. Wealthy corporations and donors have made a huge investment in partisan politics, which means reformers need to arm themselves with the best information available, and this expertly researched book is a great place to start."
Bob Edgar, president of Common Cause

"Lee Fang is one of America’s best and most prolific investigative journalists, and in this brilliant and insightful work he tells a vital and important story of the takeover of American politics by a small band of billionaires. An absolute must-read for every American who cares about the future of America and of democracy itself."
Thom Hartmann, radio host and author of The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight

"Few people have done more in-depth research, reporting, and writing on the post-Obama conservative movement than Lee Fang. The Machine goes beyond the headlines and explores exactly how this ideological movement operates."
Amanda Terkel, senior political reporter, The Huffington Post

A practical addition to literature on conservatism that will be widely appreciated, not just on the left.”
Kirkus

Edition details

• Publisher: The New Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1595586393
• ISBN 13: 9781595586391
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 272