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I came across Tim Miller somewhat accidentally—half-listening to a panel of political pundits while working on a project. But something about one of the voices kept grabbing my attention: sharp, witty, informed, and laced with a kind of righteous fury that mirrored my own inner political instincts. That voice belonged to Tim Miller.
At the time, I had no idea who he was. So I did what anyone does these days—I looked him up on YouTube. That search led me straight to his podcast with The Bulwark. And let me tell you: for my money, Tim was hitting hard, cutting deep, and bringing the kind of direct, ready-for-the-fight messaging I’d been craving in today’s media landscape. His commentary was smart, studied, and laced with the blunt force needed to actually break through the MAGA noise. He had great guests, but honestly, it was his take-no-prisoners approach that kept me coming back.
Since 2016, I’ve believed the former president to be a growing threat to the democracy and civic norms I was raised to cherish. And I’ve long felt that his movement can’t be countered with kid gloves forever. Tim Miller gets this. He’s one of the few political voices who can bring the fight while still delivering substance. Yes, policy matters—but the MAGA machine has transformed political discourse into a made-for-media melee of snark and venom. Miller knows how to fight fire with fire, without becoming the arsonist.
Eventually, I followed his trail all the way to The Bulwark—a team of principled never-Trumpers and disaffected conservatives (not necessarily Democrats, mind you) offering some of the sharpest political content out there. As a member, I enjoy the full lineup. But while I knew Tim’s voice, I didn’t know his story. That changed when I finally picked up his book, Why We Did It: A Travelogue from the Republican Road to Hell.
Yes, I came to it late. But not so late that it didn’t add valuable (and often disturbing) texture to Tim’s current mission.
This book pulls the curtain back on the slimy machinery of Washington’s political world, tracing Miller’s own journey into and eventually out of the Republican Party. We follow him through various communications and consulting roles for high-profile GOP figures, watching as the party slouches willingly into the open jaws of the MAGA beast we’re still wrestling with today.
Along the way, we meet the players, the power brokers, and the moral contortionists. Some passages made me physically recoil—my face twisted into a disgusted snarl. Other moments were laugh-out-loud baffling, as seemingly intelligent people twisted themselves into ideological pretzels to justify their continued support for a movement built on buffoonery.
One recurring theme: the shame wall. According to Miller, everyone behind the scenes eventually hit it. Some turned back and held onto their scruples. Others barreled through, emerging reborn as sycophantic MAGA cultists, hoping for a taste of power, proximity, or fame.
If Miller’s account is honest—and he seems more than willing to fall on his own sword throughout—I believe he got out before it was too late. Now, he’s turned that political acumen toward The Bulwark, helping chart a better course.
Is this book for you? Maybe. If you’re curious about the backroom dealings of D.C. power players, or want a peek at the cocktail parties where dirty secrets swirl, alliances are forged, and democracy quietly erodes—then Why We Did It might be worth your time.
Sure, I was late to the party.
But I’m glad Tim lifted the lid and gave us a look at the moldy underside of the toilet.
At the time, I had no idea who he was. So I did what anyone does these days—I looked him up on YouTube. That search led me straight to his podcast with The Bulwark. And let me tell you: for my money, Tim was hitting hard, cutting deep, and bringing the kind of direct, ready-for-the-fight messaging I’d been craving in today’s media landscape. His commentary was smart, studied, and laced with the blunt force needed to actually break through the MAGA noise. He had great guests, but honestly, it was his take-no-prisoners approach that kept me coming back.
Since 2016, I’ve believed the former president to be a growing threat to the democracy and civic norms I was raised to cherish. And I’ve long felt that his movement can’t be countered with kid gloves forever. Tim Miller gets this. He’s one of the few political voices who can bring the fight while still delivering substance. Yes, policy matters—but the MAGA machine has transformed political discourse into a made-for-media melee of snark and venom. Miller knows how to fight fire with fire, without becoming the arsonist.
Eventually, I followed his trail all the way to The Bulwark—a team of principled never-Trumpers and disaffected conservatives (not necessarily Democrats, mind you) offering some of the sharpest political content out there. As a member, I enjoy the full lineup. But while I knew Tim’s voice, I didn’t know his story. That changed when I finally picked up his book, Why We Did It: A Travelogue from the Republican Road to Hell.
Yes, I came to it late. But not so late that it didn’t add valuable (and often disturbing) texture to Tim’s current mission.
This book pulls the curtain back on the slimy machinery of Washington’s political world, tracing Miller’s own journey into and eventually out of the Republican Party. We follow him through various communications and consulting roles for high-profile GOP figures, watching as the party slouches willingly into the open jaws of the MAGA beast we’re still wrestling with today.
Along the way, we meet the players, the power brokers, and the moral contortionists. Some passages made me physically recoil—my face twisted into a disgusted snarl. Other moments were laugh-out-loud baffling, as seemingly intelligent people twisted themselves into ideological pretzels to justify their continued support for a movement built on buffoonery.
One recurring theme: the shame wall. According to Miller, everyone behind the scenes eventually hit it. Some turned back and held onto their scruples. Others barreled through, emerging reborn as sycophantic MAGA cultists, hoping for a taste of power, proximity, or fame.
If Miller’s account is honest—and he seems more than willing to fall on his own sword throughout—I believe he got out before it was too late. Now, he’s turned that political acumen toward The Bulwark, helping chart a better course.
Is this book for you? Maybe. If you’re curious about the backroom dealings of D.C. power players, or want a peek at the cocktail parties where dirty secrets swirl, alliances are forged, and democracy quietly erodes—then Why We Did It might be worth your time.
Sure, I was late to the party.
But I’m glad Tim lifted the lid and gave us a look at the moldy underside of the toilet.