From a reader:

RE: the Republicans “recently discovered hatred for deficit spending.” There is a BIG difference between the 8 years of Republican deficit spending and the current stimulus bill. I sometimes drive 85mph when the speed limit is 75mph – that doesn’t mean I can’t legitimately criticize the guy who passes me doing 150mph. One is pushing the envelope – the other is reckless driving! The law even recognizes the difference – I might get a ticket, but the other guy will go to jail and have his car impounded.

I agree with this. Differences of degree can be differences in kind. But as a political matter, Republicans would have been better off if they had a real alternative stimulus bill they could offer that would show they were also for something. That is unless Republicans actually believed no stimulus was required, a perfectly honorable position, even if I don’t agree with it. But I don’t sense that was what most Republicans actually believe.