God helps those who service themselves If there is a silver lining to the MAGAfication of the U.S. House, it is this: outside the Beltway there are signs that Republicans care about something other than owning the libs. Thomas B. Edsall examines efforts inside several state legislatures to marginalize the governing-be-damned philosophy of the craziest of Republican crazies. In South Carolina (of all places), the majority Republican caucus has insisted all members sign onto a set of rules prohibiting from campaigning against other members or from dishing to reporters on what transpires inside confidential closed meetings. Refusal to sign would exile members from the caucus. South Carolina Freedom Caucus members branded the move a “loyalty oath.” A conservative web publication said the rules: would prohibit members from endorsing or campaigning on behalf of anyone challenging a G.O.P. incumbent in next spring’s primary elections. It would also prohibit lawmakers from posting images of the House’s electronic voting board on their social media pages — and from discussing the “internal processes” behind House votes during public appearances. Basically it’s an incumbent protection ultimatum — accompanied by a muzzle. It seems that as Donald Trump’s star fades, some in the GOP would like to untarnish their brand. In Ohio where Republicans were expected to elect hard-right Derek Merrin as speaker, “a bipartisan coalition of 32 Democrats and 22 Republicans” elected “less conservative, less confrontational Republican, Jason Stevens.” And in Pennsylvania where MAGA Republicans lost in race after high-profile race last November, “enough Republicans…