Lest the tea party faction or the Freedom Caucus construct an effigy in my image, allow me to note that, yes, they are doing their people’s bidding. These folks who prefer shutdowns to compromise were elected to stand on principle, no matter the consequences. Given that most are in no danger of being challenged in their home districts, they seem perfectly content to oblige.
They may be viewed as villains in Washington but they’re hailed as heroes back home, where hating Beltway insiders is a Campaign Pledge.
But principles defended at the expense of pragmatic application is the business of priests.
Here on terra firma, if you lose, you lose. You may be re-elected as approval for your zeal as a live-free-or-die, stand-with-Bibi, “Duck Dynasty” patriot, but to what effect if one’s ability to bring about change is neutered in the process?
It is fair to note that Boehner hasn’t been able to corral enough votes to move forward with any momentum. In 2013, he essentially caved to his members and allowed them to shut down the government.
But it is also true that a leader can’t lead those whose proudest accomplishment is to not follow.
Not even Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who is a member of the tea party, has been able to whip his brethren into line. Herding cats? Loading frogs into a wheelbarrow? There is yet no simile or metaphor adequate to describe the moment. How about this: They are like the football player who intercepts a pass, then turns around and runs the ball over the opposing team’s goal line.
Insisting that Homeland Security funding be attached to the president’s executive actions to curtail deportations of immigrants here illegally — a predictably losing gamble for Republicans — was a touchdown for the other team.
Once again, Democrats were handed the opportunity to point out that Republicans aren’t in town to govern. They’re in town to lose.
Some really strong points made.
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