Political correctness and common sense

Republicans have been leery of “political correctness” for a long time; and with fair reason.

Many of the social verities of the 1990s were a little precious, a little over-sensitive, and distinctly liberal.

But in a season that follows one of the most seismic drubbings in the GOP’s history, conservatives simply have to adapt to a culture that sees the world very differently.

The GOP’s blinkered vision is playing out on a national level and on a local level. Take women.

When the Republican county chairmen in the 20th congressional district gathered this week to review possible candidates to replace Kirsten Gillibrand, they never gave State Senator Betty Little a chance to make her case.

Memo to chairmen: Sen. Little — yes, a woman — actually lives in the district and has represented this region for more than a decade.

Give her the courtesy of a job interview.

An isolated incident?

In the last 24 hours, Republicans have waded into a pair of flinch-making gaffes.

Former GOP House whip Dick Armey scolded a prominent female political pundit with this classy line:

“I’m so glad that you could never be my wife,” Armey said, on MSNBC, “because I surely wouldn’t have to listen to that prattle from you every day.”

Then, former President George Bush Sr. told a joke about a pro-choice protester, calling her “one of the ugliest, angriest women I’ve ever seen. Boy she was really bad.”

“Stay out of my womb!” the woman shouted at Bush. His witty reply: “No problem, lady.”

Snicker.

This folderol comes at a time when one leading candidate to lead the Republican National Committee distributed a parody song called “Barack the Magic Negro.”

And then Rush Limbaugh uncorked this beauty:

“We’re being told that we have to…bend over grab the ankles, bend over forward, backward, whichever, because his father was black, because this is the first black President — we’ve got to accept this!”

Nice.

This isn’t about political correctness or media bias. It’s common sense.

In the last election, Republicans (including gubernatorial and congressional candidates) lost with every age demographic except voters over 65.

The GOP lost big among minorities and women. And young people. Some of this unpopularity reflects policy differences. But Republicans can’t afford this kind of off-message, off-color frothing.

The first step toward rebuilding the Republican Brand? Have some respect — and have some dignity.