Washington is going retro. Not retro cool or retro chic but retro Republican. Repressed Republicans are back and they’ve got the White House and both houses of Congress for the first time since the 50’s when all of America liked Ike. What’s old is suddently new again: Nancy Reagan Red, pearls, petroleum, and pinstripes. The hipsters are history now. The ranchers are in charge. Barbara Streisand and Hollywood have been replaced by old time corporate CEOs and the B school. There will be no more oval office jokes.
All the buzz in the capital is about taxcuts and missile shields. Ralph Nader and the tree huggers have been hung out to dry, the loggers and the oilmen and the Sagebrush Rebellion are the new radical cause. But it’s not exactly your grandfather’s GOP. The New New republicans are multi-cultural and PC; they’re compassionate and they like their women on top. The Bush Restoration is this hour on the Connection.
(Hosted by Christopher Lydon)
Guests:
Bill Kristol, editor-in-chief, The Weekly Standard. Arianna Huffington, Syndicated columist and author. Her most recent book is “How to Overthrow the Government.” Alexander Cockburn.