The beginnings of an explanation of the tea party as innately American right wing

Rick Perlstein gave the keynote speech at a Berkley conference in October. His subject was the tea party in American political history. Here it is, and it is superb.

I suggest you take notes as you listen.

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Addendum 2:41 PM CST
Also, go read Paul Rosenberg's excellent essay on Oligarchy and party breakdown. Rick Perlstein' talk, above, puts it into an interesting perspective.

What is happening in America politically today may not be an echo or reprise of things that have happened in the past. We may be headed into all new political territory, territory which has previously been explored by nations like Argentina.