Know Your Enemies - A veritable who's who of anti-gay wackos held an emergency meeting last week to let the Republican leadership know how dangerous its flirtation with homosexuals could become. All of the Super Best Friends were there:

Paul M. Weyrich, president of the Free Congress Foundation

Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention

Rev. Donald Wildmon, president of American Family Association

Gary Bauer, president of American Values

Gary Palmer, president of the Alabama Policy Institute

Robert Knight, director of Concerned Women for America 's Culture and Family Institute

Ken Connor, Family Research Council president

Dr. Jack Willke, president of Life Issues Institute

Rick Scarborough, national co-chairman of Vision America

Rev. Lou Sheldon, president of the Traditional Values Coalition

Ron Shuping, senior vice president of the Inspirational Network

Mike Farris, representing the Home School Legal Defense Association

Boy, if I had set out to draw up a list of the vast anti-gay conspiracy, I couldn't have hoped to be so comprehensive. (I might have included Fred Phelps, but he's so far out that he undoubtedly helps our cause.) The scary thing is how many votes these people control. Obviously, the intransigent homophobia of this cabal presents a major problem for GOP leaders who are looking to improve Republican chances among moderate voters. At the same time, however, the gay-bashing gang might have overplayed their hand. HRC's David Smith delivered some apt commentary from the gay camp: "I think that Racicot and others are getting an education in terms of the viciousness of [conservative groups'] motives for all to see." And if ever you needed a reason not to join the Republican Party, there's twelve of 'em.