John Heilemann writes in the New York Magazine about "The Lost Party," and how the Rethuglicans are splitting between the culture warriors (represented by Pope Rick "Frothy Mix" Santorum) and the establishment/country club types (Willard "Ann Drives Two Cadillacs" Romney). It's a long article, but worth the read. Here's why Heilemann thinks it would be best for anyone who wants to foster a more responsible Rethuglican party (oxymoron?) to favor a Santorum candidacy:
"But if it’s Santorum who is the standard-bearer and then he suffers an epic loss, a different analogy will be apt: Goldwater in 1964. (And, given the degree of the challenges Santorum would face in attracting female voters, epic it might well be.) As Kearns Goodwin points out, the rejection of the Arizona senator’s ideology and policies led the GOP to turn back in 1968 to Nixon, 'a much more moderate figure, despite the incredible corruption of his time in office.' For Republicans after 2012, a similar repudiation of the populist, culture-warrior coalition that is fueling Santorum’s surge would open the door to the many talented party leaders—Daniels, Christie, Bush, Ryan, Bobby Jindal—waiting in the wings for 2016, each offering the possibility of refashioning the GOP into a serious and forward-thinking enterprise.
"Only the most mindless of ideologues reject the truism that America would be best served by the presence of two credible governing parties instead of the situation that currently obtains. A Santorum nomination would be seen by many liberals as a scary and retrograde proposition. And no doubt it would make for a wild ride, with enough talk of Satan, abortifacients, and sweater vests to drive any sane man bonkers. But in the long run, it might do a world of good, compelling Republicans to return to their senses—and forge ahead into the 21st century. Which is why all people of common sense and goodwill might consider, in the days ahead, adopting a slogan that may strike them as odd, perverse, or even demented: Go, Rick, go."
Even in the highly unlikely event of a Santorum nomination, we think Heilemann might be a wee bit too optimistic that a Santorum drubbing in November would lead to the Rethuglican Party becoming a "serious and forward-thinking enterprise." Maybe if they un-plug Fox "News," the hundreds of hate-radio stations, and the telebangelist industry, and force the Rethug base to deal with the real world for a change... in other words, I doubt I'll see it in my lifetime.
BONUS: More Sunday reading, courtesy of Maureen Dowd (h/t Silver Spring Bureau Chief Brian):
"The Republicans, with their crazed Reagan fixation, are a last-gasp party, living posthumously, fighting battles on sex, race, immigration and public education long ago won by the other side.
"They’re trying to roll back the clock, but time is passing them by."
