Today, the Washington Post weighs in on the absolutely vile remarks made by Rush Limbaugh this week, calling law student Sandra Fluke a “slut” and “prostitute” and demanding that she post videos of herself having sex online: The GOP Can No Longer Avoid Its Rush Limbaugh Problem.

For the good of U.S. political culture — or at least its own political self-interest — the GOP must distance itself from Mr. Limbaugh. In response to listener complaints and, apparently, the promptings of its own corporate conscience, Sleep Train Mattress Centers has quit advertising on Mr. Limbaugh’s show. Dare Republican leaders show less decency?

Dare they? You’d better believe they dare. The GOP is not going to distance itself from Rush Limbaugh. Not a chance.

Rush Limbaugh is the unfiltered id of the right wing base. He’s not really “pandering” to the crazies — he’s giving voice to their inner thoughts. And sometimes their outer thoughts too; you can find similar disgusting comments at absolutely any right wing website these days.

In fact, rather than denounce Limbaugh, all of the right wing blogs and media sites have been frantically defending him this week, and viciously furthering his attacks on Sandra Fluke and on women in general.

Irrational anger is a staple food of the Republican Party. Just look at what’s going on in this election: the Republican candidates are all spouting crazy, utterly false talking points that come straight from the deranged base and from Limbaugh. Obama’s “apology tour,” Obama’s “vote in favor of infanticide,” the list goes on and on.

Rush Limbaugh is the de facto head of the right wing, and the reaction from the GOP and from the right wing media this week totally confirms it.

The Republican Party is not going to risk getting him angry at them, because they know what he’s like when he’s angry. And they want that anger. They need that anger on their side.

Rush Limbaugh is the GOP.