Destroying The Brand

by digby

Following up on my post from last night about how the Republicans have been exposed as total frauds, I see that my pal Tom Schaller has a new column in the Baltimore Sun making the same point:

According to the latest Gallup survey, Republican self-identification has declined nationally and in almost every American state. Why? The short answer is that President Bush’s war of choice in Iraq has destroyed the partisan brand Republicans spent the past four decades building.

That brand was based upon four pillars: that Republicans are more trustworthy on defense and military issues; that they know when and where markets can replace or improve government; that they are more competent administrators of those functions government can’t privatize; and, finally, that their public philosophy is imbued with moral authority. The war demolished all four claims.

They’ll just lie and pretend it was all the fault of the hippies, but still, it’s a moment to savor.

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