Fighting words from the President last night about the gay soldier who was booed by the GOP debate audience last week, and how none of the Republican candidates on stage said a word in the soldier’s defense.

This is actually quite remarkable. This is the second (or possibly third) time the President has brought this issue up, VP Biden has brought it up at least twice, and Nancy Pelosi once during the Ellen show a few days ago. Actually, two things are remarkable – first, that the Democrats got their act together and coordinated a counter-attack against the GOP on an issue on which the Rs are vulnerable (seriously, that’s great). Second, and just as important, is the fact that the President is really letting the Republicans have it over this issue. He’s fighting back, hard, and quite sharply as well. It’s the new “fighting Obama,” and I like it.

And actually, there’s a third remarkable thing here: that gay rights is being used as a wedge issue (and effectively) against the GOP presidential candidates. So much for all that talk about gay rights being the third rail of politics – it turns out it is; the GOP’s third rail.

If you haven’t already, please check out the video of the gay soldier being booed, then read and sign the open letter to the GOP presidential candidates from former members of the military who are demanding an apology.