During the mid-1950s, the anti-Communist crusade had a significant impact on American politics and culture, with Senator McCarthy being the representative figure. Johnson spends the majority of the interview discussing this monumental story of a president who hated but would not openly attack McCarthy, of Republican senators who cynically used McCarthy to win their own elections, of a courageous TV broadcast that precipitated McCarthy's downfall, and of a mild-mannered lawyer who finally shamed McCarthy into silence. Johnson states that he believes this story is important because of its relevance to our own time, when fear again affects American behavior and attitudes. Johnson believes now, as then, that our civil liberties and our nation are at a tipping point as we confront the growing and difficult task of balancing the need for national security with that of personal liberty.
McCarthy, Joseph, 1908-1957 United States. Congress. Senate - Biography Legislators - United States - Biography Anti-communist movements - United States - History - 20th century Terrorism - Government policy - United States Presidents - United States - Election - 2004 Political culture - United States United States - Politics and government - 1945-1953 United States - Politics and government - 1953-1961 United States - Politics and government - 2001-2009
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