From 1997 to 2010, the Tories...

...in Britain suffered at the ballot box partly as a result of their reputation as the "Nasty Party." Today's Republicans run a similar risk -- becoming thought of as the "Crazy Party." In this morning's Times, Paul Krugman says:

There aren’t many positive aspects to the looming possibility of a U.S. debt default. But there has been, I have to admit, an element of comic relief — of the black-humor variety — in the spectacle of so many people who have been in denial suddenly waking up and smelling the crazy.

A number of commentators seem shocked at how unreasonable Republicans are being. “Has the G.O.P. gone insane?” they ask.