I realize that political leaders who will exploit national tragedies and play on our worst fears aren’t predisposed to dignity. But even I’m a little surprised at the spend with which Republicans are exploiting Ronald Reagan’s death for political purposes. If nothing else, the GOP deserves credit for being efficient.<\/p>\n
It started quickly over the weekend. While Kerry and the Dems were offering fond tributes to a president with whom they clashed 20 years ago, the GOP quickly alerted political reporters to a series of old Kerry quotes<\/a> criticizing Reagan. Classy.<\/p>\n The exploitation has only gotten worse. For example, take a quick look at the official Bush-Cheney campaign website<\/a>. I mean it; go right now. I’ll wait.<\/p>\n Let me say it again — this is the president’s campaign website, not a blog run by Dinesh D’Souza.<\/p>\n Of course, congressional Republicans are not only acting fast to pay immediate tribute to one of their icons, they’re moving to make the tribute permanent. <\/p>\n Hoping that Dems will offer minimal opposition the week of Reagan’s funeral, Republicans furiously started drafting legislation<\/a> yesterday that would place Reagan’s face on “at least three different bank notes and coins,” including the $20 bill and the half-dollar.<\/p>\n