They say denial is a river in Egypt, but these days, it would be more accurate to say it’s a political party represented by an elephant. The phenomenon is nothing new, of course; millions of Americans believed and (against all evidence) still believe, say, that cutting taxes increases revenue, going all the way back to when St. Ronnie could still find his way to the rest room unaided. Once such transparent poppycock went over, and went over big, Republicans were off to the races.