The candidates for chair of the Republican National Committee had a “debate” today in preparation for the vote on January 14, and here’s what I learned from watching it:

• It was not a debate. At all. There was no disagreement among the candidates on any issue. They’re marching in 100% lockstep.

• They’re all in favor of taking away women’s right to a safe, legal abortion.

• They’re all in favor of defunding Planned Parenthood.

• They’re all in favor of denying rights to gay people.

• They all agree that America is on the brink of total destruction. (That’s what they say, anyway.)

• They’re all very upset about “voter fraud” in “urban” areas (wink wink), despite the fact that there’s no evidence at all that it’s a serious problem.

• Every one of them agreed that Sarah Palin could win the election in 2012.

• Not one of the obsessions I listed above is an actual policy issue of real importance.

Summing up, I don’t see why they need to vote at all. These candidates are completely interchangeable — they all have the same atavistic views, and all indulge in the same fear-mongering nonsense. They should just draw straws.

The funniest/most painful line of the “debate” came from Saul Anuzis:

“We have to reach out to Hispanics and African Americans…”

Good luck with that.