Republicans vilified, Democrats excused

President Obama's re-election puts Republicans on notice. No matter what we do, the media will portray us as extreme, venal, stupid or antiwoman, if not as individuals, then guilty by association. The GOP nominee must bear the burden of admittedly medieval statements on pregnancy and rape - uttered by Senate hopefuls Richard Mourdock in Indiana and Todd Akin of Missouri. Mitt Romney renounced the statements - and still they tarnished the GOP brand.