The Carpetbagger Report: Danforth gives GOP excellent advice

No matter how persuasive or accurate their claims, when a Democrat insists that Republicans are overly influenced by far-right theocratic conservatives, it falls on deaf ears. But when Republicans say the same thing about their own party, it’s time to take notice.

Connecticut’s Chris Shays (R), for example, sounded pretty disgusted when he told the New York Times, “This Republican Party of Lincoln has become a party of theocracy.” Former New Jersey governor and former EPA administrator Christie Todd Whitman (R) has been making similar comments for months.

But, much to my chagrin, these two are dismissed as New England RINOs whose opinions aren’t relevant to the party or its leaders. What Republicans really need is a respected figure who has offers a similar message, but whose judgment carries more weight.

John Danforth, who had an incredible op-ed column in the New York Times today, fits the bill perfectly.