Democratic Responsibility for the Republican War on Women

It’s very difficult to describe the layers of stupid that went into this article:

But Democrats have not merely been horrified bystanders wringing their hands as this “war” has unfolded. The Democratic Party has actively encouraged the GOP’s descent into antifeminism. And though Democrats have reaped considerable gains from the fallout, their efforts have often ultimately been to the detriment of the country’s women…

It’s worth noting, however, that the Democratic Party has had no interest in trying to cool partisan debate over women’s issues, and every interest in making sure that no significant Republican feminist position emerges. The episode that best illustrates the Democratic approach in this regard was the successful effort to end the political career of Maryland Republican Congresswoman Connie Morella.

Morella, a former English professor and state legislator who also managed to raise nine children, was one of the leading feminists in Congress and among the most liberal House Republicans. She sponsored important legislation on domestic violence and women’s health, while opposing conservatives on gun control, gay rights, conservation, and abortion. She was also one of only six Republicans to vote against authorizing George W. Bush’s military action in Iraq. Her ability to work across the aisle made her a key player in bipartisan reform coalitions. But after Republicans took control of the House in 1994, Morella’s representation of some of Washington D.C.’s most affluent and liberal suburbs made her one of the Democrats’ leading targets. The Democratic-controlled Maryland legislature redrew her district to ensure that, as the state senate president gloated, “If she runs, she loses.”

Why yes; Republican anti-feminism is bad, but when Democrats point out that the Republican Party is viciously anti-feminist, it’s almost as bad. And when Democrats field “candidates” that will “run against” moderate Republicans, well, they pretty much take responsibility for the existence of Rick Santorum. It would be more appropriate if Democrats refrained from pointing out that Republicans are anti-feminist, and avoided fielding candidates against “moderate” Republicans.

Seriously, someone had to think of this, someone else had to think “Why, that’s insightful,” and someone else still had to actually post it to the website.