ONGOING REPORTS FROM THE DEATH OF SATIRE. Tapped‘s own J. Goodrich: “Of course [Joe] Klein is not alone with these feelings. Joan Walsh at Salon points out that other commentators were also relieved to finally find someone that matched their idea of a manly Democrat … Cooties are scary. And girls have them.”

Andrew Sullivan and Howard Fineman, this week on the Chris Matthews Show (“Millionaire Pundit Values on a Cable Access Budget!”):

SULLIVAN (1/28/07): I think she�s been a very sensible senator. I think — find it hard to disagree with her on the war. But when I see her again, all me — all the cootie-vibes resurrect themselves. I�m sorry –PANEL: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!HOWARD FINEMAN: That�s a technical term!SULLIVAN: I must represent a lot of people. I actually find her positions appealing in many ways. I just can�t stand her.

Linda Hirshman should take note that all of the people in question who prioritize junior-high-school personality impressions over policy in fact have penises.

–Scott Lemieux

Scott Lemieux is a political science professor at the University of Washington. He writes for the blog Lawyers, Guns & Money. Follow @lemieuxlgm