Expert on conservatism explains why he refused to appear on 'propagandist' Steve Bannon’s podcast

Historian/author Rick Perlstein is well-known for chronicling the modern conservative movement. His books have focused on President Ronald Reagan, President Richard Nixon, Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-Arizona) and other prominent Republicans.

Perlstein, now 55, usually welcomes opportunities to be interviewed by conservative media figures.

But the historian/author recently turned down an invitation to appear on far-right MAGA Republican Steve Bannon's "War Room" podcast, and he explained why during a late December appearance on the Daily Beast's "New Abnormal" podcast.

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Perlstein told hosts Andy Levy and Danielle Moody, "I'm perfectly happy to engage with people who disagree with me in a public forum, but not when the guy who controls the microphone admits to being a propagandist."

The historian/author stressed that he has no desire to engage with someone who "brags about lying as a political strategy."

"I was referring to (Bannon's) famous quote that the way to win is to flood the zone with s----," Perlstein expanded.

Perlstein recalled his conservation with one of Bannon's colleagues, noting, "I said, 'I'm not going to go on the show…. She said something like, 'Oh, we play it totally straight. No games'."

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When Levy laughed at the "play it totally straight" part, Perlstein added, "It'd be like playing a basketball game where the other team gets the hoop to be at five feet and yours has to be ten."

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Listen to the full podcast at this Daily Beast link (subscription required) or here.