"Banana Republicans" Examines How GOP Gained Virtual Control over U.S. Political Power

Interview with John Stauber, co-author of "Banana Republicans: How the Right-Wing is Turning America into a One-Party State," conducted by Scott Harris

After the last two federal election cycles, the Republican Party finds itself firmly in control of the U.S. government. George W. Bush sits in the White House, thanks to his selection by a GOP-dominated Supreme Court amid controversy in the razor-thin Florida vote, while having decisively lost the national popular ballot.

The Republicans, who also hold power in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, now control all three branches government for the first time since 1932. In so doing, the GOP has fulfilled the dream of the late President Ronald Reagan and other conservative activists. The party has succeeded by working aggressively to out-maneuver and outspend their Democratic rivals in influencing regulation of the electoral system, and dominating the agenda of the lobbying establishment and the nation's media.

The authors of a new book warn that the success of the Republican party in consolidating power across political and corporate spheres, puts America's democratic pluralism at risk. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with John Stauber, who along with Sheldon Rampton, are co-authors of the book, "Banana Republicans: How the Right-Wing is Turning America into a One-Party State." Here, Stauber takes a critical look at how the GOP has been able to dominate U.S. politics and maintain its hold on power.

"Banana Republicans, How the Right-Wing is Turning America into a One-Party State," is published by Tarcher/Penguin.

Visit the author's website at www.bananarepublicans.org Stauber and Rampton run the Madison, Wis.-based Center for Media and Democracy Visit the Center's web site at www.prwatch.org

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