Who are the 20 Republicans holding a first-in-a-century block on Republican House Leader Kevin McCarthy's bid to become Speaker? We look at WHERE each of these "far right" politicians come from to better understand their motivations.  

Almost all are from regional cultures that form the Southern coalition, which mainstream American media and politicos view as the conservative coalition. It is not a case of Republicans in the North standing in McCarthy's way.  Cultural Appalachians from Illinois to Texas, and Westerners doing battle with the Hispanic culture of El Norte form the bulk of the "Freedom Caucus" members.  

This episode relies on the cultural/political maps of Colin Woodard in his book American Nations. 

If you want to hear more about the curious connection between New Yorker Donald Trump and the Appalachians, check out this episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1761762/9950415-the-new-civil-war-and-the-compass-of-power.mp3?download=true