Death of the Moderate Republican? Does anybody remember when Jane Swift signed on to "It's My Party Too," a group dedicated to reclaiming a corner of the Republican Party from the hardcore religious right. Typical issues that IMPT focused on were abortion rights and fiscal conservatism, while distancing itself from the divisive culture wars that were egged on by the Bushies and James Dobsons of the party.

It's My Party Too has now morphed into the less whiny named Republican Leadership Council, where Jane has a position on the board. (Odd coincidence- I used to go to Church with her fellow RLC board member Jim Nicholson from Detroit and knew his kids quite well.) The group still tries to represent the moderate, secularist wing of the Republican Party.

But with Jane's enthusiastic endorsement and defense of the very far right-wing Sarah Palin, who overtly meshes policy and fundamentalist pentecostal religion, (and who flew her future shotgun son-in-law for a photo op while claiming a right to privacy) I am left wondering what happened to our former Governor's "moderate" veneer.

(For the record, I know Jane ever so slightly. Our kids are in the same class and my wife has had lunch with her. And from what I've seen, I like her on a personal level. She was wearing her McCain-Palin ball cap outside the schoolhouse doors today amidst a sprinkling of nearby Obama signs.)  ¶ 5:15 PM