1. “The Second Civil War: The Rise of Hyperpartisanship” Ronald Brownstein

2. The Rise of Hyperpartisanship Republican Style of Leadership: Rise of Newt Gingrich Political strategy: “Republicans must sharpen their differences with Democrats in every possible way and create clear, bright lines of division between the parties.” Republicans Lacked a Fighting Tradition: “You had to have somebody who was willing to fight.”

3. The Rise of Hyperpartisanship Prevailing Strategy of Republican Leadership Led by Robert Michel (Illinois), the Republican leadership in the House pursued a non-confrontational strategy. Benefits of Non-Confrontational Strategy By working with the Democrats the Republicans hoped to: - get some legislation they wanted passed, - to win appropriations for their districts - and appear as productive members of Congress. Gingrich’s view: working with Dems left the Reps in permanent minority.

4. The Rise of Hyperpartisanship Newt and Conservatives Get Organized: Conservative Opportunity Society Gingrich establishes the Conservative Opportunity Society (COS) after meeting with Nixon, who tells him he will need to organize with other conservative members if he wants the Republican and Democratic leadership. Conservative Opportunity Society (COS) Newt uses the COS to build a conservative network both within and beyond Congress. He pulls together a coalition of Think Tanks, Lobbying and Interest Groups. …

5. The Rise of Hyperpartisanship Newt Overarching Strategy: Path to a Republican Majority His strategy for gaining power, and achieving a Republican Majority had three distinct parts: 1. Oppose Everything the Democrats Propose 2. Challenge any Republicans willing to work with the Democrats 3. Be Willing to Shutdown Congress and the Government Down to achieve to achieve a Majority His goal: gain power by drawing a sharp distinction between the parties. …

6. The Rise of Hyperpartisanship Newt Overarching Strategy: Path to a Republican Majority He would pursue this path to power by: - Skillfully using the media to promote a conservative agenda - Tactically harassing the Democratic Leadership (Speaker Tip O’Neil) - Pressuring the Republican Leadership to Support Him …

7. The Rise of Hyperpartisanship Newt Helped by Democrats Newt’s pursuit of power was unwittingly aided by the Democrats in the following ways: - Democratic Reforms of Congress in the 1970s strengthened the Party Leadership, and alienated Conservative Democrats and Republicans (weakened seniority, made Committees more Responsive to Democratic Caucus) - Over-reactions to Gingrich brought the Republican more influence (his strategies were working) - Pursued an increasingly partisan agenda that pushed more and more frustrated Republicans into Gingrich’s fold. …

8. The Rise of Hyperpartisanship Newt’s Challenge to the Republican Leadership and White House: Newt’s growing influence enables him to win the election to become the House Republican Whip in 1989, defeating a candidate endorsed by the Republican House Leadership. It also enables him to lead the Conservative charge against President Bush’s 1990 budget deal to reduce the deep deficits created by Reagan. 1994: Republican Revolution: Newt Gains Power After forty years in the minority, the Republicans win a majority in the House in 1994. …

9. The Rise of Hyperpartisanship Newt and President Clinton Although Newt continued to employ a confrontational strategy after 1994, he found a worthy adversary in Bill Clinton, who called Gingrich about shutting the government down over budgetary disagreements and Impeachment. In both cases, Gingrich and the Republicans as much and at times more blame than the Clinton and the Democrats. Newt resigned from Congress in 1998. …