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The Inside Story of How Obama Fought Back Against Boehner, Cantor, and the Tea Party

John Milton

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Published in Showdown: The Inside Story Of How Obama Fought Back Against Boehner Cantor And The Tea Party

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In his new book, The Inside Story of How Obama Fought Back Against Boehner, Cantor, and the Tea Party, journalist David Maraniss tells the story of how President Obama and his team fought back against the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, led by Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and the Tea Party movement that was ascendant within the GOP.

Showdown: The Inside Story of How Obama Fought Back Against Boehner, Cantor, and the Tea Party

by David Corn

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	25493 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	611 pages

Maraniss, who has covered the Obama presidency for The Washington Post since its beginning, draws on extensive interviews with Obama, his top aides, and members of Congress to provide a detailed and nuanced account of the political battles that shaped Obama's first term.

The book begins with the Tea Party's rise to prominence in the 2010 midterm elections, which gave Republicans control of the House for the first time in eight years. The Tea Party, a loosely organized movement of conservative activists, was fueled by anger over the Obama administration's handling of the economy and the passage of the Affordable Care Act. Tea Party members were determined to roll back Obama's agenda and shrink the size of government.

Boehner and Cantor, both veteran Republicans, were initially skeptical of the Tea Party. But they quickly realized that the movement could be a powerful force within the GOP. They embraced the Tea Party's agenda and used it to push Obama to the right on a range of issues, including taxes, spending, and healthcare.

Obama and his team were determined not to let the Tea Party dictate their agenda. They fought back against Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and cut taxes for the wealthy. They also worked to build support for their own agenda, which included investing in education and infrastructure and raising the minimum wage.

The battle between Obama and the Republicans was often bitter and personal. Boehner and Cantor were openly hostile to Obama, and they frequently accused him of being a socialist or a tyrant. Obama, in turn, accused the Republicans of being obstructionists who were more interested in playing politics than governing.

Despite the challenges, Obama and his team were able to achieve some significant victories during his first term. They passed the Affordable Care Act, which provided health insurance to millions of Americans. They also ended the war in Iraq and began the process of winding down the war in Afghanistan. And they oversaw the recovery of the economy from the Great Recession.

The Inside Story of How Obama Fought Back Against Boehner, Cantor, and the Tea Party is a fascinating and important book. It provides a detailed and nuanced account of one of the most consequential political battles in recent American history. Maraniss's book is a must-read for anyone interested in American politics or the Obama presidency.

**Alt attribute for the image:** A photograph of President Obama speaking at a podium, with Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor standing behind him.

Showdown: The Inside Story of How Obama Fought Back Against Boehner, Cantor, and the Tea Party

by David Corn

4.6 out of 5