Thanks for Electing Us -- Now, Shut Up!

Republican leaders and folks at the White House are telling their conservative allies to shut up about the Supreme Court vacancy. They've held conference calls for the last several days with conservative groups trying to get their strategy in line. The Republicans in Washington want conservatives in the heartland to quit bad-mouthing Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and to stiffle talk of a "culture war." They don't want a lot of talk about abortion, same-sex marriage, and government support of religion. The GOP thinks that'll be harder to get their nominee appointed. (NYT)