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The primaries decided last night were supposedly a big win for the republican "establishment" as opposed to the far right tea party.  What it really shows is the influence of the astro turf groups spawned by the Koch brothers and their ilk.   Most of these moderate republicans would have been labeled as far right fringe candidates in the 80s and early 90s.  Now, in order to please the bible thumping, gun toting homophobes who make up much of the base of today's republican party, candidates have to take these extreme positions.  So the party veers further and further down the rabbit hole.