Heritage Foundation is the main Republican “think tank.” When Republicans are out of power they hire people who they expect will return to power. When a politician writes a book no one gives a shit about, they buy copies in bulk to try to manipulate The NY Times best-seller list and make it seem popular. It’s just an arm of the Republican Party.

The equivalent for Democrats is the Center for American Progress. It’s not as evil but it’s also not a real think tank. (Real think tanks hire Ph D’s and produce academic-level work. Heritage and CAP are more like marketing companies masquerading as non-profits.)