(1)
How bankrupt is the Republican party, how totally bereft of any sane notion of what role to play in our polity?

Eric Cantor, the second-ranking Republican in the house — an under-assistant John Boehner, if you will (nullus) — articulates the party’s new vision, going forward: “Just say no!” To everything Obama proposes. Including the country’s most pressing needs.

In all fairness, we must point out that this may be only a partial statement of Cantor’s new vision for the Republican party. He may also have a new vision for them, going backward. Only time will tell, for sure, but these days nothing is too outrageous or comically stupid for Republicans to not just say, but positively rejoice in saying.

(2)
The front page Washington Post article linked above essentially argues that Republicans are banking on the fact that they have screwed up the economy comprehensively enough, and sabotaged the stimulus package effectively enough, that they are “increasingly confident” taking a stand against a stimulus package that they feel “will provide little economic jolt but will pay off politically for those who oppose it.”