GOP website not extremely proud of the party it represents

Salon: The new website for the National Republican Congressional Committee, the campaign arm of House Republicans, has earned a lot of attention in the past week for its bold new attempt to win the Internet and elections by imitating BuzzFeed. On the website today, you can find items like “13 Animals That Are Really Bummed on ObamaCare’s Third Birthday” or a video of President Obama whiffing 20 free throws. There’s more substantive fare too, like a polling memo on the Keystone XL pipeline.

One thing you won’t find on the front page, however, is the word “Republican,” except for at the very bottom in a disclaimer box that reads, “Paid for by the National Republican Congressional Committee.”

[…]

One possible reason for the omission: The Republican brand has seen better days. The latest CNN Poll found that 54 percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of the GOP, while fewer than three in 10 say they have a positive view of the Republican Party. Just over two-thirds of respondents say the party favors the rich and nearly half think the GOP’s policies are too extreme.

And how about that kicky new landing page, huh? Nothing says a bright new future awaits better than an empty desert highway leading into dark storm clouds.

But this story got me thinking of a seemingly unrelated piece over at Politico. In that one, we’re told that Rand Paul-style “Libertarianism” is a-takin’ over the GOP, so watch out stodgy old party! Yeehaw!

What both stories point to is a Republican Party desperate to distance itself from the Republican Party. Rand Paul breaks with his party on one or two issues, sure. But he’s as “Libertarian” as he is Communist. If you ticked off a list GOP platform planks, Paul would be with his party about 98% — what a wildcard! And let’s not even get into his “fetal rights” BS, which would force women to give birth against their will.
The word “liberty” does not apply there.

No, what Rand Paul and the new NRCC website have in common is that they’re both not so very eager to call themselves Republicans, out of fear the voters will reject them as part of a thoroughly ruined brand.