Connelly: Right Win Razing Repubs

Two bad trends have supplanted the good old days. The radical right, the tea baggers its new manifestation, is purging the Republican Party of moderate officeholders and candidates, and turning once-sensible office seekers into pander bears. Locally, an iron triangle of left interest groups (e.g. NARAL) liberal media (The Stranger, PubliCola) and the labor left (SEIU) seek to impose ideological requirements while slamming any Democrat who hints at moderation. The local press hasn’t noticed, but Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., endured sustained abuse from national conservative media and local property rights wackos when he dared to vote for climate change legislation. The national and state Republican Party were brushed aside by the likes of Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh in New York’s 23rd District/ Joel Connelly , Seattle P-I. More here .

Question: Will the Republican right save or destroy the party of Lincoln?