Crackup

In Crackup, Samuel L. Popkin explores the fracture of the Republican Party into rigid factions with conflicting demands, sparked by campaign finance reforms and the rise of mass media. He examines how the 2002 "McCain-Feingold" bill, intended to limit corporate influence, instead weakened party leadership and fostered a toxic political environment. Popkin highlights the emergence of single-issue advocacy groups and Super PACs, alongside the political careers of figures like Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, illustrating how these dynamics contributed to the party’s current state. The audiobook offers a compelling analysis of the underlying forces that led to Trump becoming the GOP's standard bearer.