Throw Him on the Barbie

This has been an interesting week for the Republican Party and for the defense of marriage crowd.  Sen. Ensign has an affair with a staffer.  Gov. Sanford has an affair, wanders off to Buenos Aires with his darling and has his staff lying about hiking the Appalachian Trail.  The defense of marriage from gays and lesbians seems to be losing its luster --the defenders aren't all that taken with their own marriages it seems.  Another way to see it is to think of it all as competition between the parties -- the Demoncrats had John Edwards finding sex in the middle of a presidential campaign (shades of Gary Hart).  The Republican candidates couldn't match it so the next rank of up and comers had to match Edwards.  So Ensign goes public when -- well, not so very clear why.  Extortion is not usually attempted by the party lawyer sending a letter.  Not to be outdone, Mr. Sanford decided that unexplained disappearance would be okay -- Gary Hart again!  That was a self-destructive move.  Which all suggests that the old slogan is still good -- Republicans make good barbie - throw one on today.