So much for the Big Tent

Conservative columnist Hugh Hewitt wants to silence debate about the Iraq war among Republicans by forcing the Republican Party to deny financial support to any Republican who votes for the Democrats’ non-binding resolution opposing the “surge.”

Hewitt’s efforts to make unquestioned support for the war a litmus test for support from the GOP could benefit the Democrats if it forces Republicans from state and districts where the war is unpopular to choose between alienating the growing number of anti-war voters or losing financial and organizational support from the Republican Party. This seems like a poor strategy to regain Republican control of Congress, but a great strategy to transform the GOP from a major political party into a cult of the warfare state.

Glenn Greenwald offers some more thoughts on Hewitt’s oath.

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8:53 pm on January 31, 2007