here s one very important point that steve makes in his book. and this is part of why i love steve and have worked with him for so many years, since literally we were kids, at least i think of us as kids. he also writes about the fact that it is not inevitable that the republicans are a post-policy party. it is a choice they are making. and you can prove it. steve says, quote, it would be a mistake to assume republicans are incapable of effective policy making. when utilizing gerrymandering techniques to give republican candidates unfair and undemocratic electoral advantages. for example, republicans have demonstrated an uncanny ability to carefully utilize evidence in pursuit of substantive goals. appeals court found ub are can officials drew boundaries that targeted black voters with, quote, almost surgical precision. it was part of a racist scheme to undermine democracy, but it was also a remind thaer when republicans are willing to set
steve, congratulations on the paperback. the book is called the imposters: how republicans quit governing thank you so much for your time tonight. it s great to see you. thank you so much. more ahead. stay with us. so much more ah d. with us great tasting. they re power-packed vitami that help unleash your energy. loaded with b vitamins. .and other key essential nutrients. .it s a tasty way to conquer your day. try centrum multi gummies. now with a new look. i ve got big news! now nurtec odt is the first and only medication proven to treat and prevent migraines. don t take if allergic to nurtec. the most common side effects were nausea, stomach pain, and indigestion. ask your doctor about nurtec today! ever notice how stiff clothes ask your doctor can feel rough on your skin? it s because they rub against you creating friction. and your clothes rub against you all day. for softer clothes that are gentle on your skin, try downy free & gentle. just pour into the rinse dispenser a
very old friend, a producer on the show, steve benin, published a book that is basically a i mean, it s not a reference guide. it s a narrative. but i have sense used it as a frequently referred to reference guide for how to understand today s politics and how to understand what s not the same between the two parties. the book is called the imposters: how republicans quit governing and seized american politics. the basic thesis is that the democratic party is different from the democratic party in one very specific way. they are post-policy. whatever they may have been in the past or whatever they may have been driven in the past, the key insight you need for understanding them today is that they are not working on policy anymore. they are not working on governing. they re working on power. they re working on messaging. they re working on all sorts of other things that benefit themselves. but governing, policy, running
joining us now is my friend steve benen, a long-time producer of this program, the author of the impostors out today in paperback with a brand-new afterword. steve, congratulations, my friend. great to see you. great to be here, thank you so much. this is the part where we remind people that you were also the first ever guest on the first ever rachel maddow show, where you were sitting in front of a fake bookcase. now 13 years down the road you re still my guest when i need to talk to you. but those are real books and they re at a jaunty angle. i m annoyed by the fact when i look back at that original interview you look the same and i don t. and that seems terribly unfair. it s a wig. that s pretty much how i do it. that s my secret. steve, i want to ask you about
producer of this program, the author of the impostors out today in paperback with a brand-new afterword. this is the part where we remind people you were also the first ever guest on the first ever rachel maddow show where you were sitting in front of a fake bookcase. now 13 years down the road you re still my guest when i need to talk to you. but those are real books and they re at a jaunty angle. i m annoyed by the fact when i look back at that original interview you look the same and i don t. and that seems terribly unfair. it s a wig. that s pretty much how i do it. that s my secret. steve, i want to ask you about what we saw today and the conversation i just had with senator klobuchar. seeing republican unanimity against even debating the voting rights bill, seeing senator