“National and statewide Republican officials willing to comment are supporting U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., as he defends comments equating gay relationships with bestiality and with priests molesting teens.

His remarks stirred a public furor. Some Democrats, liberals and gay rights groups have called for Santorum’s ouster as third-ranking Republican in the U.S. Senate leadership. Critics also said his remarks were inappropriate, coming from the state’s most powerful Republican.

But Santorum’s defenders are under a gag order. Officials at the White House and Republican National Committee told GOP insiders yesterday, by conference call, voice mail and e-mail not to comment about Santorum’s comments, letting him speak for himself.” pennlive.com

I ‘m sure many GOP fellow travellers believe much the same as Santorum, but are starting to realize how unclever it is to let on in public until you’ve assured yourself none of the infamous, reviled ‘liberal press’ are there to hear.

Addendum: It would seem Dubya is not so smart, in case you were wondering. Yahoo! News

On the other hand, my analysis may not be so astute. GOP officials may not feel that Santorum is in the same kind of trouble Lott was. They may be telling supporters to stay mum so they don’t cross a line that he stayed shy of. He’s safe, they should take care that they remain so too. That’s essentially what editor Dan Savage suggests in an op-ed piece in the New York Times the other day. Outrage about Santorum may be impotent rage.