Once in a while, it’s worth taking a moment to realize how very, very odd Republicans can be.

There’s a new rule at the Republican National Committee. Refer to the two leading Democratic presidential candidates simply as “Barack” and “Hillary” and you’ll be fined $10. The reason: Using first names makes the candidates sound more likable but calling them “Senator Obama” and “Senator Clinton” makes them sound more distant and bureaucratic. “I don’t think people are actually being fined,” says one insider. But everyone is being “encouraged” to follow the rule.

It’s like a swear jar in which people who use profanity are supposed to be put money in a pot every time they use profanity. It’s supposed to be a deterrent.

Only at the RNC, the swear jar is a humanizing-Democrats jar.

No, I usually don’t understand Republicans, either.