The Stronghold

A keen analysis of the GOP’s transformation into a strong congressional party that has struggled to compete in presidential elections

Once the party of presidents, the GOP in recent elections has failed to pull together convincing national majorities. Republicans have lost four of the last six presidential races and lost the popular vote in five of the last six. In their lone victory, the party incumbent won—during wartime—by the slimmest of margins. In this fascinating and important book, Thomas Schaller examines national Republican politics since President Ronald Reagan left office in 1989. From Newt Gingrich’s ascent to Speaker of the House through the defeat of Mitt Romney in 2012, Schaller traces the Republican Party’s institutional transformation and its broad consequences, not only for Republicans but also for America.

Gingrich’s “Contract with America” set in motion a vicious cycle, Schaller contends: as the GOP became more conservative, it became more Congress-centered, and as its congressional wing grew more powerful, the party grew more conservative. This dangerous loop, unless broken, may signal a future of increasing radicalization, dependency on a shrinking pool of voters, and less viability as a true national party. In a thought-provoking conclusion, the author discusses repercussions of the GOP decline, among them political polarization and the paralysis of the federal government.

Thomas Schaller is professor of political science, University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He writes a political column for the Baltimore Sun and lives in Washington, DC.

"The fact that GOP now governs from the House is a vastly under appreciated factor in what drives our national politics. So if you find yourself frustrated and flummoxed by the particular dysfunction of our political moment, you must read this book. "—Chris Hayes, MSNBC Host, "All-In"

"Tom Schaller is one of the most astute observers of American politics writing today. The Stronghold is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the modern Republican Party."—Ryan Lizza, Washington Correspondent, The New Yorker

"Why are Republicans pursuing seemingly suicidal policies on immigration and other issues? Tom Schaller answers that question in a fascinating and systematic way: the incentives for Republican aspirants to Congress are directly at odds with the policy choices that would reach out to a national electorate. Schaller provides a compelling roadmap to navigate through our dysfunctional politics."— Norman Ornstein, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute, and co-author of It’s Even Worse Than It Looks


"The Stronghold is an arresting narrative of the Republicans’ evolution from the party of presidents to the party of Congress. Schaller deftly explains how the “House-ification” of the party has pulled Republican politics so sharply to the right."--Froma Harrop, nationally syndicated columnist