It was only a matter of time before the Republicans concerned about their party’s viability spoke out against Republicans more concerned with ingratiating themselves to the party’s base, even if the latter group includes the all-powerful Rush Limbaugh. Both Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich (and Tom Tancredo, but who cares) have called Sonia Sotomayor a racist in recent days, which many Hispanic voters will surely remember (or be reminded of) come voting time. So because some people are trying to run a party here, the backlash has begun. Senator John Cornyn called the comments “terrible,” columnist Peggy Noonan wants Republicans to act “like grown-ups,” and RNC chairman Michael Steele, channeling Walt Frazier, advises against “slammin’ and rammin’” Sotomayor. We’re not entirely sure what that means, but it definitely doesn’t sound like something you should do to a judge.
