Making stuff up

Republicans are making it hard these days for journalists. Especially for those of us who still espouse centrist, balanced reporting.

I’m a big believer in the idea that serious debates — especially over an issue as important as health care — involve complex, often conflicting ideas.

The long-running tension between conservative and progressive ideals in this nation has been essentially, well, healthy.

But there’s a measurable difference between making an argument and making stuff up.

There’s a difference between debate and demagoguery.

The latest symbol of the Republican Party’s flirtation with outright deception can be viewed here:

The Arizona GOP is circulating a doctored photograph showing President Barack Obama smoking a cigarette.

Small potatoes? Sure.

Especially when high-profile conservatives are also circulating arguments that Democrats are a) fascists, b) communists, c) corrupt allies of fat cat bankers, d) enemies of capitalism, e) murderers of the elderly and the disabled, f) foreigners secretly in sympathy with America’s enemies, or g) all of the above.

In journalism, one of the core rules of the game is Consider the Source. And some of the GOP’s most influential voices are flirting dangerously with the edge of the credibility cliff.

After former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin accused President Obama of trying to create a “death panel” — a claim that is categorically, provably false — even Fox news host Neil Cavuto groaned.

“We have rationed care in our health system now,” he pointed out, “and I know the fears are that it would be on steroids a national type program and maybe those fears are legitimate, but to then start saying things like “death panel” and “evil” destructs the debate, does it not?”

Yes, it’s damaging to the debate. Those angry protesters turning up at town hall meetings are discredited not only by their vitriol, but by their open embrace of nonsense.

It’s fair and fine to disagree with Mr. Obama’s policies. But to carry a sign that associates him with Adolph Hitler? That puts you squarely out of bounds.

All of which is a nightmare for the Republican Party, an institution which we desperately need to serve as a counter-weight and a loyal opposition to the majority Democrats.

Single party rule isn’t healthy. And if the GOP and prominent conservatives don’t stop making stuff up, single party rule is what we’ll be stuck with.