Well it must be “Failed Political Consultant” day. We heard from Mark Penn, and now John Weaver, who was booted from the McCain campaign and continued to bedevil him from the sidelines, is out opining on the 2012 GOP prospects. He’s greatly miffed about Jon Huntsman exiting the race. But aside from the silliness of predicting who is toxic and who is not for the GOP three and a half years ahead (I offer no opinion on those he named) one has to wonder whether the advice isn’t suspect. A friend passes on this reminder of just how devoted Weaver is to the future of the Republican Party:

In early 2002, Weaver reregistered as a Democrat. And even that doesn’t do justice to his alienation. Soon after crossing the aisle, he signed contracts with the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (dccc)–two organizations deeply committed to the defeat of Republican candidates. He joined the inner circle of consultants planning Dick Gephardt’s presidential campaign. (Had he not developed cancer, he would have likely remained active in that campaign.) And, to almost any reporter who called, he articulated a stinging critique of the Bushies.

Anyone can — and certainly does — offer political advice these days. But when Penn and Weaver pop up, one should take their missives with a large grain of salt. Granted, the media are starved for “experts” to provide sourcing for political handicapping, but it seems the first requirement is for such experts to have some track record of expertise and minimal devotion to the side they are pretending to “help.”