Flashback to 1998:

“It is just about sex.”

“European leaders have mistresses! Why can’t America be more like Europe?”

“It’s a private matter.”

Back to the future and now the GOP candidate’s behavior is in question by the same people who wanted to wish away Wanderin’ Bill’s actual acts…and his lies about them – under oath.

So no, Democrats – you don’t get to rake Trump over the coals for his words about grabbing female genitalia after protecting your guy for having his in an intern’s mouth…in the Oval office and then lying about it.

Nor do any Republicans who attacked Clinton’s philandering ways get to defend the Notorious DJT.

I normally am in synch with the guys over at Powerline but not now. John Hinderaker asks WWTDD (What Would The Democrats Do)? Of course, we already know:

“Here there is no need to speculate: we saw what they did in the 1990s. They circled the wagons and defended their man to the hilt, using whatever smears and lies were helpful, even though he was credibly accused of rape and multiple instances of sexual harassment. Indeed, that is what the Democrats are doing now with Hillary Clinton, as revelations much more material to her performance in office than the Trump video have come out over the past year or two. See, generally, Clinton Cash. Republicans are always held to a higher standard than Democrats, but why? Maybe this is as good a time as any to reject the double standard and fight fire with fire. E.g., this Drudge headline: ‘KATHLEEN WILLEY CALLS FOR HILLARY TO RESIGN FROM CAMPAIGN…’”

Mr. Hinderaker proposes that we simply fight the way Democrats fight:

“It is easy to answer reporters’ questions by explaining why Trump, with all his faults, is superior to the incompetent, corrupt and left-wing Hillary Clinton. In fact, this may be one of the few chances that most Republicans get to attack Hillary on camera. Why not take advantage of the opportunity? Republicans everywhere should be prepared to tell reporters that even an inept, immoral, centrist rookie like Donald Trump is not as bad as Hillary Clinton.”

I have no idea if this would work or if it would even matter – the press couldn’t give a damn about how corrupt their favored corrupt candidate is. They would stick to their game plan and either not report Republican points or simply mischaracterize the comments in a way to help her. The media will never change their double standard. That’s how it works – ignore Democrat behavior and accentuate every bad aspect of any GOP act.

I do know one thing for certain – if Republicans follow the Democrat playbook as Hinderaker suggests, the GOP’s metamorphosis into Dem Lite will be complete.

In Dante’s Inferno, as Dante is about to walk through the Gate of Hell, above the gate is this inscription – “Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch’intrate” – loosely translated, it means “Abandon ye all hope who enter here.” In stooping to the Democrats level, we will pass through that same gate.