In the alternate universe known as the Republican Party, there are two types of people: Those who say stupid, wrong, crazy, destructive things that hurt the country and its political discourse, but don’t really believe any of it . . . and those who say those things and believe all of it. John Boehner wants you to know he’s the first type.

Matt Corley at Think Progress picks up the Politico story that has Republicans leaders John Boehner and Eric Cantor worrying about how crazy Michele Bachmann makes them all look:

Sources say they have been especially wary of the possible damage inflicted on the party’s reputation by bomb-throwing Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), who last fall called for an investigation into whether members of Congress are “pro-America or anti-America.”

Still, Boehner has largely avoided antagonizing the base on these hot-button issues — steering clear of using the words “death panel” — while criticizing Democrats for involving the government in end-of-life decisions. He’s been particularly careful to avoid the fate of former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), who found himself publicly espousing positions that didn’t have widespread support in his own conference.

Boehner’s dilemma is enough to make a grown man weep.

I’ve been wondering when those responsible moderates, Boehner and Cantor, would start to cringe that the crazies were becoming an embarrassment. The official Frank Luntz memo they sent out expressly said that obstructing, obfuscating, creating stupid distractions, lying and blatant demogoguery were expected of the Party faithful, but saying something that might embarrass the party was over the line.

Standards are important.