Ross Douthat and Reihan Salam Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Politics and Prose

Grand New Party, Ross Douthat and Reihan Salam’s proposed blueprint for retooling the GOP, is eloquent, comprehensive, and less condescending toward the working class than Thomas Frank’s What’s the Matter with Kansas? Their prescription for “restoring the American Dream” reads like smart economics, albeit coupled with batty social expectations: Reform the medical system but reject globalization, they argue, and get the government off the backs of “traditional families” and then use it to beat back cultural liberalism. Instead of looking forward, it pines for a society where all mothers are married, all men vote Republican, all children are enrolled in Catholic schools, and everyone speaks English. In other words, here’s a perfect argument-starter just before an election.

DOUTHAT AND SALAM DISCUSS AND SIGN COPIES OF THEIR WORK AT 7 P.M. AT POLITICS & PROSE, 5015 CONNECTICUT AVE. NW. FREE. (202) 364-1919.