If, like some, you wondered why Obama, Pelosi, and other Democrats wasted time praising a generally reprehensible Republican like Coburn, it’s because he stepped into the trap — as long as the debate is about how to solve the problem, the progressive side (which actually cares about solving it) holds the advantage. And when even one Republican joins the debate on those terms, the pretense of his colleagues is easier to expose.

Longtime Lieberman mouthpiece Dan Gerstein is portrayed in Politico as a “Democratic political consultant” whenever they need someone to run down the Democrats or, as today, tout the Republicans. Who still hires this hack, and how can they defend that now?

Well played, sir.