David Frum has been criticized a lot lately due to his somewhat strange habit to go after fellow conservatives. The criticism was well-deserved.

Today, he deserves to be praised, however:

Republican leaders should have put a hundred miles between themselves and Glenn Beck the first day he began dwelling lovingly on the possibility of right-wing armed violence in the United States. It’s a little awkward to do so now: that would look like falling in step with the Obama administration’s contrivances. But party leaders should quietly urge anyone with an (R.) after his or her name to keep as far away as possible from this unwitting tool of Obama administration spin.

Now, I have defended Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh in the past – and I will likely do so again in the (near) future – but you should not interpret my defense of them as an ‘endorsement.’ It is not. In fact, I do not enjoy listening to or watching them. Glenn Beck especially strikes me as a crazy clown.

However, these pundits play an important role in the conservative movement, and rightly so. They are not politicians. They do not have to be politically correct, nor do they have to be moderate and reasonable, let alone come up with practical solutions for America’s problems. No, they are right-wing entertainers who do a great job attacking Democrats generally and President Obama specifically. Millions of conservative voters listen to them daily and are influenced by them. When election time arrives next year again, these listeners will be the GOP’s most passionate activists and volunteers.

The above does not mean that politicians should suck up to Beck and Limbaugh. They should not attack them, but they should not become too close with them either. The two men are entertainers who regularly cross the line. Politicians should not. Politicians should be practical. Limbaugh and Beck have to play their role, lawmakers should focus on doing theirs.

B&L are not interested as much in the fate of the Republican Party as they are in their own success. And that is logical. They are entertainers and businessmen who work for successful businesses. Responsible Republican lawmakers should keep this in mind and act accordingly: do not attack conservative pundits publicly, but do not treat them as friends either. Instead, just ignore them and know that they are preparing conservative citizens for the next elections.