The Capt. Renault deflection

Ask a strategist or operative a probing question and they’re liable to respond with a famously cynical quote turned hackneyed political cliche.

“I’m shocked, shocked my party is … (take your pick) stoking public resentment, exploiting the partisan divide, etc.”

Of course they choose less incriminating, vague language. But at the end of the day, the perfect storm of political mimicry has produced a deflection that reporters need to vigorously challenge.

Do it for the memory of Claude Rains, if nothing else.