Description
Book SynopsisRonald T. Libby's Purging the Republican Party examines Tea Party primary campaigns against Republicans including the defeats of Dede Scozzafava in New York and Bob Bennett in Utah, and the election of Marco Rubio in Florida. It includes an assessment of the Tea Partyâs political prospects following the 2012 elections and beyond.
Trade ReviewProfessor Libby thoroughly analyzes the U.S. House race featuring New York State Representative Dede Scozzafava and U.S. Senate races featuring Mike Lee (Utah) and Marco Rubio (Florida). Through his skillful blending of polling results, newspaper accounts, and behind the scene politics, he is able to document the origin and the continued power flexed by the Tea Party. His provocative conclusion points towards sustained involvement of the Tea Party in American Politics. Only time will tell if his well-founded prediction comes true. -- Sean M. Theriault, The University of Texas at Austin
Libby’s book is not just a detailed account of the rise, ideology, and electoral success of the Tea Party that brings much-needed balance to mainstream media accounts, it also provides important insights into the continuing fight over the soul of the Republican Party. -- Stan Veuger, American Enterprise Institute
Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments I. Introduction 2. The Tea Party’s Political Ideology 3. The Tea Party’s Policies: Contract From America 4. The Civil War Within the Republican Party 5. The “Scozzafava” Strategy to Defeat Senator Bob Bennett 6. Tea Party-Hispanic Constituency for Senator Marco Rubio 7. Conclusion: the 2012 Elections and Beyond Appendix A
