Episode Summary: Terry Dolan with Dr. Neil J. Young
Introduction In this compelling episode of This Guy Sucked, host Dr. Claire Aubin delves into the life and legacy of Terry Dolan, a pivotal yet controversial figure in the American conservative movement. Joining her is Dr. Neil J. Young, a respected historian and author specializing in the American right. Together, they explore Dolan's significant yet paradoxical influence on modern conservatism, his personal struggles, and the enduring implications of his actions.
Terry Dolan: Architect of Modern Conservatism Dr. Neil J. Young begins by outlining Terry Dolan's foundational role in shaping the Republican Party's conservative shift during the 1970s and 1980s. Dolan founded the National Conservative Political Action Committee (NCPAC) in 1975, a seminal organization that played a crucial role in the rise of Ronald Reagan and the mobilization of grassroots conservative activism.
"He's the founder of, in 1975, the National Conservative Political Action Committee, NCPAC, which if you follow the right, if you follow modern conservatism, you've probably heard of NCPAC. It's one of the most important conservative organizations that really brings about the rise of Reagan." ([05:00])
NCPAC's strategies, including the use of aggressive attack ads and independent expenditure campaigns, revolutionized political campaigning by targeting liberal Democrats and pushing the Republican Party further to the right.
Hypocrisy and Personal Struggles A significant portion of the discussion centers on the inherent hypocrisy in Dolan's life. Despite his fervent anti-gay stance publicly, Dolan was a closeted homosexual who died of HIV/AIDS in 1981. This dichotomy raises profound questions about his legacy and the contradictions within the conservative movement he helped shape.
"He is also a closeted homosexual who dies of HIV AIDS in 1981...his public role is leading NCPAC and moving the social conservative movement forward. He's also privately advising these different gay Republican organizations..." ([05:40])
Dr. Young emphasizes the irony of Dolan’s position:
"He's living this absolutely closeted life where he's sitting in his office in Arlington, Virginia, raising millions of dollars with these anti feminist, anti gay, anti liberal screeds and then going to gay bars at night and having sexual relations with men all on the down low." ([18:34])
Outing and its Aftermath The conversation delves into the circumstances surrounding Dolan's outing posthumously. Initially denied and dismissed, his true cause of death was later confirmed by the Washington Post, highlighting the stark hypocrisy within the conservative circles that once supported him.
"And so, they're picking up on the sort of hypocrisy here too, and trying to... expose him in his obituary by the Washington Post." ([47:21])
This public revelation juxtaposed with his family's attempts to obscure his sexuality underscores the personal and political conflicts Dolan embodied.
Impact on Modern Politics Aubin and Young draw parallels between Dolan's strategies and the current political landscape, noting how his tactics laid the groundwork for today's polarization and the rise of the alt-right. They discuss how Dolan's ability to compartmentalize his personal life while driving a fiercely homophobic agenda mirrors contemporary political figures who blend public advocacy with private contradictions.
"Like he stands out in the book because he doesn't... might really be perfect for our moment." ([53:57])
Empathy and Historical Analysis A nuanced part of the conversation addresses the empathetic lens through which historians like Dr. Young view figures like Dolan. While Dolan's actions undeniably had detrimental effects, understanding his personal turmoil provides a deeper insight into the complexities of his character and the socio-political environment of his time.
"I found myself far more empathetic for almost everyone in this book than I expected going into it." ([24:08])
This empathetic approach does not excuse Dolan's actions but seeks to comprehend the human behind the political facade.
Concluding Insights The episode concludes with reflections on Dolan's enduring legacy. Dr. Aubin and Dr. Young acknowledge the tragic elements of his life, caught between personal identity and public ideology. They underscore the importance of examining such figures to understand the evolution of political movements and the personal costs embedded within them.
"It's a very good book. I think it taught me an enormous amount about something that a lot of people misinterpret or mischaracterize just based on what I would say is like assumptions about how people work and why they do things." ([59:00])
Key Takeaways
- Terry Dolan's Influence: As the founder of NCPAC, Dolan was instrumental in shifting the Republican Party towards modern conservatism, utilizing aggressive political tactics that are now commonplace.
- Personal vs. Public Persona: Dolan's life exemplifies the conflict between personal identity and public ideology, highlighting deep-seated hypocrisies within political movements.
- Legacy and Modern Parallels: The strategies and contradictions present in Dolan's career have significant parallels in today's polarized political climate, suggesting a lasting impact on American politics.
- Empathetic Scholarship: Understanding historical figures through an empathetic lens allows for a more comprehensive analysis of their motivations and the complexities of their actions.
This episode provides a profound exploration of Terry Dolan's multifaceted legacy, offering listeners a thorough understanding of his role in shaping American conservatism and the personal conflicts that accompanied his public endeavors.