Shouldn't go without mention

A group of GOPers are proposing a "purity test" resolution at the next RNC meeting. The premise is that future GOP candidates must pledge fealty to at least 8 of the 10 bullet points or receive no financial support or endorsements from any party structures.

There's two ways to read this. First, as has been portrayed in most of the political blogs, that this represents another effort to tighten the crazies' grip on the party.

However, I also see it as perhaps a clever way to avoid another NY-23. The bullet points are fairly vague, and most could be committed to without much contortion. (Notice the abortion bullet #9 that doesn't actually require opposing abortion.)

Effectively what this would do is enable the party structures to determine "who is a Republican" which would avoid allowing the crazies to claim the right to make that determination. Handled properly, this moves all the power back to the party structures. It would be a way for the party seniors to tamp down NY-23 type fires before they burned up opportunities to win elections.

Just offering a different spin.