David Brooks is Unhappy with the Republican Party

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DAVID BROOKS IS UNHAPPY WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY…David Brooks on the congressional revolt against the bailout bill:

House Republicans led the way and will get most of the blame. It has been interesting to watch them on their single-minded mission to destroy the Republican Party. Not long ago, they led an anti-immigration crusade that drove away Hispanic support. Then, too, they listened to the loudest and angriest voices in their party, oblivious to the complicated anxieties that lurk in most American minds.

Now they have once again confused talk radio with reality. If this economy slides, they will go down in history as the Smoot-Hawleys of the 21st century. With this vote, they’ve taken responsibility for this economy, and they will be held accountable. The short-term blows will fall on John McCain, the long-term stress on the existence of the G.O.P. as we know it.

I’m not sure that “interesting” is quite the right adjective to use here unless you happen to be an op-ed columnist from Mars who’s on a field trip to the third planet, but point taken anyway. The lunatics are running the GOP asylum these days, but unfortunately, all of us are paying the price.

By the way, if you’re interested in seeing how the vote on the bailout bill broke down, the New York Times has a very informative graphical map here. And I’ll add this: judging from my email and comments, there are quite a few people who are as upset about the failure of the bill as I am. But apparently none of us are calling our congress members, who seem to be hearing from no one but refugees from talk radio and Lou Dobbs. So check that map, and if your guy/gal voted No maybe you should give ’em a call on Tuesday morning.