Gerson on Ideological Manhood

I might come to different conclusions on many policy points and political positions but I do appreciate the sharpness of the former Bush speechwriter's mind and provocative turn of phrase.  Here's his take on Ron Paul and his ideological countrymen proving their manhood.

Each of these [Ron Paul positions] is a disqualifying scandal. Taken together, a kind of grandeur creeps in. The ambition of Paul and his supporters is breathtaking. They wish to erase 158 years of Republican Party history in a single political season, substituting a platform that is isolationist, libertarian, conspiratorial and tinged with racism. It won’t happen. But some conservatives seem paradoxically drawn to the radicalism of Paul’s project. They prefer their poison pill covered in glass and washed down with battery acid. It proves their ideological manhood. [emphasis added]

Gerson, Michael. "Ron Paul’s quest to undo the party of Lincoln," Washington Post. 1/1/11.