GOP Firebrands Tone Down Their Message

The New York Times reports at least nine Tea Party Republicans, “a mix of former incumbents and previous challengers” are running for Congress again — “but with a difference.”

“This time they have shelved their incendiary remarks about President Obama and the national debt in favor of a narrower focus on the Affordable Care Act, which they hope will attract moderate voters from both parties, even in heavily Democratic districts, who are disenchanted with its rollout. The campaigns, if successful, could be an indication of change in some corners of the Republican Party as many former firebrands mellow their messages [and] try to capitalize on the center. At the very least, their campaigns show that some people who ran vociferously against Washington appear eager to get back there.”