The Sequester Is 'Unwise,' And No, It's Time Hasn't Come

National Review's editors endorse the sequester as an "unwise" idea whose time has come.

It's important to understand, though, that when Republicans say, "OK yes go ahead with the sequester," they not in reality choosing the sequester.

What they are choosing is a fight about the sequester - a fight they will lose. They are choosing to make their brand more toxic than it is now, without in any way altering the fiscal trajectory of the United States.

Altering that trajectory requires winning elections, and winning elections becomes more difficult when your brand is toxic (see above).

Honest to God, there are days when I think the GOP high command is basing its decision making on Leadership Secrets of the Japanese Cabinets of 1939-41.