Oh really??? I thinks the phrase perfectly applies to GOP politics as well. You don't ever see DemocRATS' shooting themselves in the foot!
Be that as it may, it is Jim Robinson's opinion that counts, and he did not mean 'Loose lips sink ships' to mean suppressing all discussion of what is right and wrong about a political office holder. He does oppose 'bashing' GOP officials, as opposed to criticizing certain specific actions they may take. The main page of FR, with its wish for what the President will say about campaign finance, will be implicit criticizm, should Bush not veto the bill.