Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra - S2, Ep. 7: Mobilized

Episode Summary

In the seventh episode of Season 2 of "Ultra," titled "Mobilized," Rachel Maddow delves deep into the tumultuous political landscape of 1954, focusing on the highly charged efforts to censure Senator Joseph McCarthy. This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of McCarthy's rise, his controversial tactics, the fervent support he garnered, and the eventual Senate censure that sought to curtail his influence. Through insightful analysis and compelling narratives, Maddow paints a vivid picture of a pivotal moment in American political history.

1. Introduction to the Political Climate

The episode opens by setting the stage in December 1954, a time when the United States Capitol becomes the epicenter of political tension. The presence of men brandishing weapons at the Capitol signals the emergence of a new, aggressive political group rallying behind Joe McCarthy.

David Austin Walsh narrates:

“It’s December 1, 1954, and no one is supposed to be holding loaded revolvers at the doors of the United States Capitol...”
[01:10]

2. Joe McCarthy’s Controversial Rise

Senator Joe McCarthy, a Republican from Wisconsin, had become synonymous with anti-communist fervor, often employing fear-mongering tactics to target alleged communists within the U.S. government and other institutions. His aggressive pursuit of suspected communists, regardless of evidence, led to the destruction of many innocent lives and careers.

David Austin Walsh explains:

“Joe McCarthy has made a very profitable political sport out of dramatizing the threat of an enemy within... He’s done it by singling out relatively powerless individuals for public destruction.”
[04:39]

3. The Push for Censure

By late 1954, McCarthy's unchecked power and reckless accusations began to provoke significant backlash. The tipping point came with the tragic suicide of Senator Lester Hunt, a consequence of McCarthy’s relentless blackmail campaign against him. This event galvanized senators to consider taking action against McCarthy, culminating in the unprecedented move to censure him.

Roger McDaniel reflects:

“The suicide of one of their own because of the behavior of Senator McCarthy was seen by many in the Senate as the time that they had to draw the line.”
[08:13]

4. McCarthy’s Supporters and Grassroots Mobilization

Despite mounting opposition, McCarthy maintained a robust support base that aggressively defended him against censure. Large rallies were organized across the country, drawing thousands of fervent supporters who viewed McCarthy as a patriot fighting against internal subversion. These gatherings were marked by emotional speeches, chants, and displays of unwavering loyalty.

Roger McDaniel describes a rally:

“This is a raucous crowd at Constitution Hall, an emotional one...”
[16:16]

At Constitution Hall, a surprise appearance by McCarthy himself electrified the crowd:

"Take my word for it, my good friend... we'll go on and on."
[18:16]

5. The Senate Vote and Censure Outcome

Amidst intense rallies and a deluge of hate mail directed at senators supporting the censure, the Senate proceeded to vote. The result was a significant blow to McCarthy, with a 67 to 22 vote condemning him for his conduct. However, the censure was not absolute, as half of the Republican senators sided with McCarthy, allowing him to retain substantial influence within his party.

David Austin Walsh summarizes the vote:

“The resolution they passed against him called him out instead for his discourteousness toward his fellow Senators, for violating Senate rules and traditions.”
[42:07]

6. Aftermath: McCarthy’s Continued Influence and Strategies

Despite the censure, McCarthy's core supporters remained steadfast. He and his allies embarked on strategies to maintain and even bolster his influence, including petition drives and the formation of groups like the National Renaissance Party. McCarthy portrayed himself as a martyr, believing that the censure would elevate him to heroic status among his followers.

David Austin Walsh notes:

“The organizing, the petition drives, the protests, the mass race rallies... it could all now be put to a new use.”
[44:10]

7. The Road to the 1956 Presidential Election

Looking ahead, the episode highlights McCarthy's supporters' ambitions to manipulate the Electoral College to secure his presidency. By disrupting the traditional vote count and promoting alternative slates of electors, they aimed to position McCarthy as a unifying nationalist hero capable of saving the nation from perceived internal threats.

Hamilton Fish outlines the plan:

“This is the master key to unlock an America where a real patriot can win...”
[49:15]

8. Implications for American Politics

Maddow emphasizes that McCarthy's actions and the subsequent Senate censure had lasting effects on American politics. The episode underscores how McCarthy's legacy influenced future political movements, serving as a blueprint for grassroots mobilization and the intertwining of extremist ideologies with mainstream politics.

Rachel Maddow concludes:

“They wanted to turn McCarthy from a martyr back into a hero. It is a moment of broad grassroots mobilization by American conservatives that provides a sort of template, a blueprint for future action.”
[44:29]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• David Austin Walsh [01:10]: “There are no policemen here, but they're acting like cops, with uniforms...”

• Rachel Maddow [02:51]: “It's a very deliberately choreographed moment.”

• Roger McDaniel [03:25]: “They were trying to sell this as almost a Hollywood moment...”

• Senator Ralph Flanders [06:02]: “Will Senator McCarthy finally be censured? The Senate is now split for and against McCarthy.”

• Rachel Maddow [09:16]: “It's a way for the Senate to kind of wash their hands of a guy that nobody ever liked in the first place.”

• David Austin Walsh [22:53]: “The people who loved Joe McCarthy at the beginning of 1954 still loved Joe McCarthy at the end of 1954.”

Conclusion

"Mobilized" serves as a compelling case study of political power, grassroots mobilization, and the complexities of legislative accountability. By meticulously dissecting the events surrounding Joe McCarthy's censure, Rachel Maddow provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of how one man's unchecked ambition can galvanize both fervent support and staunch opposition, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's political fabric.