Demonstrating once again that laser-like focus on jobs and the economy, Republican National Committee chair Reince Priebus has sent a letter to NBC and CNN threatening that if they produce a miniseries on Hillary Clinton, the GOP will boycott them in the 2016 primary debates.

It’s August, Congress is gone, and it’s time for the silly season — which gets off to a fun start with a new Republican National Committee threat against NBC and CNN. It seems that unless NBC drops plans for a miniseries on Hillary Clinton, and CNN drops plans to air a documentary about the former Secretary of State, the RNC is threatening to boycott those networks in 2016 primary debates.

Now, never mind that, whatever the merits or lack thereof of a miniseries about a prospective presidential candidate, it’s pretty amazing that Republicans would object to news coverage of Clinton on CNN. Which is exactly what they’re doing here. Also, never mind that in reality it’s almost certainly a bluff. Parties don’t partner with TV networks for primary debates as a favor to the networks; they do it because they want exposure for their candidates.

What’s really going on?

Ooh, ooh! I know! The Republican Party is floundering in outmoded reactionary stupidity, and this is exactly the kind of stuff they know plays very well with the most ignorant elements of their base. Next question!