23. "The Saturday Evening Post heralded [Joseph] McCarthy's arrival with an article entitled 'The Senate's Remarkable Upstart.' For the next three years, McCarthy searched for an issue that
would substantiate his remarkability. . . . [One) scholar noted the ease with which he
rearranged the truth to serve his purposes. 'Once he got going, logic and decorum gave way to
threats, personal attacks, and multiple distortions.
In the Wheeling speech, among the most significant in American political history, McCarthy's
recklessness finally merged with his search for a propelling issue. He explained that
homegrown traitors were causing America to lose the cold war."
-- February 9, 1950, Senate Stories, U. S. Senate Archives
Which statement about Senator Joseph McCarthy is most accurate based on this excerpt?
O McCarthy sought to change finance laws to increase his campaign funding.
McCarthy promised to reform civil service hiring practices.
O McCarthy regarded members of labor unions as patriots.
O McCarthy used the fear of communism to increase his political prominence.