I watched The News Hour last night, as usual. There was a segment pairing Senators Menendez of NJ (D) and Barasso of WY (R) arguing about the debt ceiling negotiations, spending cuts and tax increases. One of the things that struck me is how ineffably stupid some of the Republicans are about the process of amending the Constitution. Barasso wanted a stipulation in the debt ceiling deal that there be a Balanced Budget Amendment. He seemed to think that if it passed the Congress (unlikely) it would immediately take effect.

There are two ways to amend the Constitution. Up till now, all have followed this route: A bill of amendment has to pass both houses of the legislature, by a two-thirds majority in each. Once the bill has passed both houses, it goes on to the states, where it has to be ratified by three-fourths of them.

The implication from Barasso’s language was that he thinks that can be done before the August 2 deadline.

How do they get this dumb?