GOP bailing on bailout supporters

The anti-bailout backlash hasn’t prevailed everywhere. Rep. John Boozman, the Republican nominee for Senate in Arkansas, voted for TARP but won his primary. Ditto Rep. Mark Kirk, the GOP senatorial candidate. They are considered two of the party’s brightest prospects for gaining Senate seats this fall.

But all other things being equal, a vote for TARP is a political loser in Republican primaries — and a huge gift to conservative challengers. Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth may have voted for No Child Left Behind and the Medicare prescription drug benefit, but he is making McCain’s support for TARP an issue in their Arizona contest. The Republicans running against former Sen. Dan Coats in Indiana also tried to tie him to the bailouts.

It is too early to say that big-government Republicans are on the ropes. But they are looking for someone to bail them out. Here’s some advice: Don’t hide under a TARP.

W. James Antle III is associate editor of The American Spectator.