Class v. crass

John Kerry has put most campaign activities on hold for the week of Ronald Reagan's funeral, including a couple star-studded celebrity fundraisers that would have banked millions and may be impossible to reschedule as in their intended form.

As has been mentioned, that's class.

Salon reports, though, that "Republicans weren't having it."

Some particulars.

" ... Republicans circulated old quotes from Mr. Kerry in which he criticized Mr. Reagan..."

"...War Room received a typical RNC anti-Kerry missive by email this morning..."

And of course, there was Bush practically climbing into the coffin in hopes that some of the Reagan glow would reflect off of him during a televised interview with Tom Brokaw yesterday.

I don't think I've seen an ungracious remark from a prominent Democrat about Reagan. Even contentiously disreputable partisans like, well, me, have generally laid off. But it's clear that the Republicans don't intend to allow the passing of a figure who they claim to venerate to pass without political exploitation even preceding his funeral.

That's crass.