The meme is breaking through. You heard it here at the Ink first; it was popularized at Huffington Post; then yesterday, Frank Rich used the C-word — and hopefully started a trend toward calling movement conservatism by its proper name.
The battle for upstate New York confirms just how swiftly the right has devolved into a wacky, paranoid cult that is as eager to eat its own as it is to destroy Obama. The movement’s undisputed leaders, Palin and Beck, neither of whom have what Palin once called the “actual responsibilities” of public office, would gladly see the Republican Party die on the cross of right-wing ideological purity. Over the short term, at least, their wish could come true. (Emphasis mine)
How right he is. The predicted crackup of the GOP is happening. Rich described the bizarre emergence of a Conservative Party candidate in the NY-23 Congressional District’s special election. Powered by the wingnutosphere, movement conservatives have succeeded in forcing Republican Dede Scozzafava out of the race in favor of a know-nothing paleoconservative who doesn’t live in the district. The usual suspects were at work:
The wrecking crew of Kristol, Fred Thompson, Dick Armey, Michele Bachmann, The Wall Street Journal editorial page and the government-bashing Club for Growth all joined the Hoffman putsch. Then came the big enchilada: a Hoffman endorsement from Palin on her Facebook page. Such is Palin’s clout that Steve Forbes, Rick Santorum and Tim Pawlenty, the Minnesota governor (and presidential aspirant), promptly fell over one another in their Pavlovian rush to second her motion.
How bad was the online wingnutery? So bad that Newt Gingrich may have scuttled his chances of a 2012 nomination by endorsing Scozzafava, whose “crime” was having a mind of her own on abortion and same-sex marriage. After some encouragement from Democrats, Scozzafava has retaliated by endorsing the Democrat in the race.
The Teabag Terror has chosen immolation: even if Hoffman wins, the GOP still loses.
Adding: “Beckerheads” has taken a commanding lead in my “name the Glenn Beck cult” poll. If you haven’t voted, do it now!
