Paul Krugman: Seeking Willie Horton

Paul Krugman looks at GOP efforts to revive Willie Horton and what that means for the future of the party:

Seeking Willie Horton, by Paul Krugman, Commentary, NY Times: So now Mitt Romney is trying to Willie Hortonize Rudy Giuliani. And thereby hangs a tale — the tale, in fact, of American politics past and future, and the ultimate reason Karl Rove’s vision of a permanent Republican majority was a foolish fantasy.

Willie Horton, for those who don’t remember the 1988 election, ... committed armed robbery and rape after being released from prison on a weekend furlough program. He was made famous by an attack ad ... that played into racial fears. Many believe that the ad played an important role in George H.W. Bush’s victory over Michael Dukakis.