Thomas Frank: The GOP's Lame-Duck Push

July 9, 2008; Page A13

In his landmark 1938 study of political corruption, "The Politicos," Matthew Josephson recalled for his readers the final moments of the Republican 43rd Congress, meeting in a lame-duck session in early 1875. Although the party had just been defeated at the polls in what Josephson called "a great popular mandate for currency expansion," its leaders proceeded to pass a measure designed to contract the money supply.

It is in moments of defeat rather than those of triumph that politicians "show their real hand," Josephson observed. Masks are dropped in the stampede; brutal essence shoves aside compassionate appearance.