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American Conservatism's Identity Crisis

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There is a rumble going on inside the big tent of American conservatism, and it's only getting louder. After years of marching from victory to victory over the left, the right's neocons, theocons, paleocons and libertarians are now at each other's throats.

Reagan-era conservatives calls George W. Bush a traitor bent on big spending and big government. Bill Buckley calls the Iraq war a mistake. Competing GOP panels are now warring bitterly today over immigration.

George Will calls it an identity crisis on the right. A new landmark encyclopedia of American conservatism takes us back to first principles in the conservative camp.

Hear about the roots of the identity crisis in American conservatism, and the raging battle lines today.

Guests:

Bruce Frohnen, co-editor of "American Conservatism: An Encyclopedia" and professor of law at Ave Maria School of Law.

Jack Beatty, On Point News Analyst and Senior Editor at The Atlantic Monthly.

This program aired on July 6, 2006.

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