The Exception Proves the Rule

Yuval Levin, NRO:

Isn’t it a little strange to argue that the NY-23 result should take the wind of N.J. and Va. out of Republican sails? It seems to me that that result makes exactly the same point as the two governor’s races: A Republican running as a conservative alternative to the party in power at the moment, reasonably attuned to the tone and mood of his constituents, and reasonably unafraid to embrace his party and its conservative identity, can win. It seems pretty obvious that if the GOP had run such a candidate in NY-23 (for instance, if they had run Doug Hoffman rather than forcing him to run as an independent), that candidate would have won handily.

Thankfully, the beltway GOP seems to have gotten at least some of the message--the NRSC says they won't spend money in a contested primary.

The GOP lost elections the last few cycles because it got out of touch. What better way to stay in tune with the people than to let the people choose their candidates--in primaries.