Considering how disappointing Obama and the Democrats have been (and here is further evidence that Obama is pretty awful), it’s sometimes easy to lose track of what could have been.

Beyond that, Republicans have become embarrassing to watch. And it doesn’t feel right to make fun of crazy people. Better, perhaps, to focus on the real policy debates, which are all among Democrats.

But here’s the thing: the G.O.P. looked as crazy 10 or 15 years ago as it does now. That didn’t stop Republicans from taking control of both Congress and the White House. And they could return to power if the Democrats stumble. So it behooves us to look closely at the state of what is, after all, one of our nation’s two great political parties. […]

So what’s the implication of the fact that Republicans are refusing to grow up, the fact that they are still behaving the same way they did when history seemed to be on their side? I’d say that it’s good for Democrats, at least in the short run — but it’s bad for the country.

For now, the Obama administration gains a substantial advantage from the fact that it has no credible opposition, especially on economic policy, where the Republicans seem particularly clueless.

But as I said, the G.O.P. remains one of America’s great parties, and events could still put that party back in power. We can only hope that Republicans have moved on by the time that happens.

New York Times: Tea Parties Forever

(via Richard Metzger)

I’m not sure this is even good for the Democrats. It seems the Republicans do their best when they are at their most crazed. By some estimates, they lost last year because they were too reasonable.

Remember Jay Rosen’s turn of phrase “The base is not reality based.”

“Fuck ’em all. Squares on both sides.” – William S. Burroughs.