What's happened to the Republicans this soon after their "mandate" election is that -- like in 2004, bunkered in their Fox News bubble where all polling that doesn't agree with their credo is part of the liberal conspiracy -- they missed the face-slapping fact that there was no mandate at all beyond I hate Washington politics and politicians. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/...
Tangled up in their own shenanigans while overplaying their hand; punching the nerd boy one too many times when he's down; it's likened to that pool scene in Meet the Parents when Ben Stiller (Republicans) urged to be a man by De Niro, (Teabag extremists) pounds the volleyball over the net and smacks the bride (firemen/first responders) in the face. Republicans were on a seeming roll feeling their balls before the election, and very much like what happened to newly elected President, "Im goenna spend some a my polit'cal cap'tal" Bush in 2004-05, they carried what was never a mandate too far. Already.
"The first attempt the bill...failed in July," when Republicans were crowing around the barnyard (Capitol) and all the focus was Democrat's and Obama's lethargy in the face of a smelly economy. Suddenly now they look to be on a roll, and with other major issues appearing favorably disposed of, the spotlight shines solely on this Republican turd dropped on the heads of what arguably best symbolizes America's core strength and resilience.
It might play well with the teabaggers because until told they don't know what [the fuck] or who they [fuck or] stand for, or, not to even stand moon-eyed in their own shitpile. The bagger's added mass may have helped win an election but it's plain piss-soaked baggage from here forward.