Republicans have been leery of “political correctness” for a long time; and with fair reason. <\/p>\n
Many of the social verities of the 1990s were a little precious, a little over-sensitive, and distinctly liberal.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The GOP’s blinkered vision is playing out on a national level and on a local level. Take women.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Memo to chairmen: Sen. Little — yes, a woman — actually lives in the district and has represented this region for more than a decade. <\/p>\n
Give her the courtesy of a job interview.<\/p>\n
An isolated incident?<\/p>\n
In the last 24 hours, Republicans have waded into a pair of flinch-making gaffes. <\/p>\n
Former GOP House whip Dick Armey scolded a prominent female political pundit with this classy line:<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
“Stay out of my womb!” the woman shouted at Bush. His witty reply: “No problem, lady.”<\/p>\n
Snicker.<\/p>\n
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.” <\/p>\n
And then Rush Limbaugh uncorked this beauty:<\/p>\n
“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!”<\/p>\n
Nice. <\/p>\n
This isn’t about political correctness or media bias. It’s common sense.<\/p>\n
In the last election, Republicans (including gubernatorial and congressional candidates) lost with every age demographic except voters over 65. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The first step toward rebuilding the Republican Brand? Have some respect — and have some dignity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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