http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/08/the_cheney-ization_of_the_gop.html<snip>
Yesterday I noted here that the war over Cordoba House revealed something that hasn't gotten the attention it deserves: The degree to which the Cheney-ites are winning the battle over the future direction of GOP foreign policy.
Adelman added that "now would be a wonderful time" for Bush to reiterate his position "for acceptance of Islamic leadership" that is "moderate" and "responsible."
Such talk, though, sounds almost quaint in comparison to the rhetoric we're hearing from leading Republicans right now. On the "mosque," and even on other issues such as torture and Mirandizing terror suspects, many leading elected officials in Congress, and many of the 2012 GOP hopefuls, are all reading from a script that may as well have been written, and in a sense is being written, by Liz Cheney and Bill Kristol. The only Republicans you hear speaking out in favor of the "mosque" are former Bushies who don't have influence within the party, and aren't running for office any time soon.
So here's the question: If Bush did come out in support of the Islamic center (which he isn't going to do), or if he did call on Republicans to moderate their rhetoric, would any leading Republicans listen to him? I doubt it. No point in even bothering.
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