When it came time for Congress to vote on a spending bill for the war in Iraq with a timeline for withdrawal, four Republicans stood with the Dems — two in the House, two in the Senate. Of the four, Maryland Republican Wayne Gilchrest is perhaps the least well known.

David Weigel, an associate editor of Reason, chatted with Gilchrest about his perspective (thanks to D.D. for the tip). It’s a fascinating read, which I highly recommend.

For example, here's Gilchrest on what’s left of his Republican Party:

I think the GOP was dissolving. Now it’s drying up and the wind’s going to blow it away. I just don’t think we have the depth of knowledge, intellect, and experience necessary for a viable political party any more.

One gets the sense, reading the interview, that the Rove-ification of the party really hurts a reality-based guy like Gilchrest. And the more the GOP drifts into “crazy base world,” the less Gilchrest and people like him will feel welcome in a party that’s gone over the edge.

It’s a genuine shame. I suspect the Republican Party will eventually come to its senses, and will look back at the last 15 years with considerable embarrassment, but I wonder how long, exactly, it will take to get there.