This post by Nixonland author Rick Perlstein, in which he takes on George Will's ill-informed criticism of the aforementioned book, is a wonderful encapsulation of an important point, one I have made on many occasions over the life of this little blog. It is a multi-point thesis, but can be summed up in a simple sentence - It isn't the 1960's anymore! While Perlstein's work on Nixon and Goldwater is important for the light it sheds on the rise of the Republican governing majority of the past 40 years, I have recommended, on several occasions, some other works as well. Godfrey Hodgson's Turning the World Right-Side Up and Gary Dorrien's The New-Conservative Mind, in particular, are excellent guides to the rise of the right in this country, and the rise of neo-conservatism and the neo-conservatives. Both write with respect, albeit critical respect. Dorrien in particular is quite clear that, while he has fundamental disagreements with the neo-conservatives (a point he expands in his follow-up, Imperial Designs), he nevertheless has serious respect for the intellectual muscle neo-conservatives have wielded.
Perlstein's main point in the linked piece - that George Will seriously misunderstands him, and liberals in general, picturing them all as little Richard Hofstadter's gazing imperiously down upon their inferiors - is important. As we near the end of Republican and conservative dominance of our politics and discourse, assessing the damage and (yes, I'll admit they've had a few) successes, it is important to remember that American conservatism isn't the result of status anxiety, envy, or small-mindedness, but has deep roots in our history and politics. Yes, there are those who have exploited racism, sexism, and other social ills for their own political gain; that doesn't mean the whole movement is morally bankrupt (even if it is politically bankrupt at this point in time). The left and liberals are no less prone to succumbing to panderers and opportunists (Perlstein mentions Abbie Hoffman, who was less a serious figure of the "Left" than a media-whore who at least got his come-uppance at Woodstock courtesy of Pete Townsend of The Who).
Perlstein's piece is important, and should be kept in mind every time we wish to fall in to the trap of treating conservatives as boobs, cranks, intellectual lightweights, or some cancerous aberration on our collective polity.
