It doesn't take a long memory to recall the days when it was considered a possibility that the tea party would run third-party candidates against Republicans and Democrats. Instead, they have invested their energy in a good-faith attempt to win Republican primaries and influence the course of the country through the GOP. They have played by the rules, and often, they have won. That has prompted moderates to go rogue and switch parties, run as independents, and wage sour-grapes write-in campaigns.

Unless Republicans crack down on this behavior in the toughest manner possible, what incentive do tea-partiers have to play nice when a primary outcome goes against them? Why would they feel loyalty to a Republican party that doesn't take its own rules seriously? Jim DeMint is urging people to donate to Joe Miller to boost him against Murkowski, and we urge our readers to contribute to that effort. Not only is Miller a better conservative, his race is an important test for tea partiers around the country. It's too bad more Senate Republicans don't realize that some things are more important than their colleague Lisa Murkowski's feelings.