Never mind their disastrous loss in the
$24 billion temper tantrum, in which they gained absolutely nothing but historically low approval numbers, House Republicans promise
more of the same.
"Republicans have an opportunity to reset the debate over the next few months. As the nation's attention turns from Washington politics to the Obamacare disaster, Democrats will have no choice but to reconsider our fair and reasonable proposals to delay the law," Georgia Republican Rep. Tom Graves said in a statement. [...]
Rep. Mick Mulvaney, a key figure in the House conservative wing, argued Wednesday's defeat came about because conservative weren't able to "drive home" the argument that their opposition to Obamacare is based on fundamental "fairness." [...]
Asked if there would be any difference the next time Congress faces a shutdown deadline, Mulvaney said, "The natural inclination is to say, 'No, it'll be exactly the same.' But if we can figure out a way to drive home the [fairness] argument …. then the outcome may be different."
Because, clearly, fairness means only healthy and wealthy people should have health insurance. Even the not-entirely insane members of the House GOP
found some kind of encouragement in this disaster, like Rep. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming: "I'm not prepared to suggest that this has been a complete loss." And as for their "leader"?
Those conservatives seemed pleased with Mr. Boehner's performance, no matter the outcome. "We know he tends not to want to pursue tough battles," said Representative John Fleming of Louisiana. "I think he's migrated more toward us. We are appreciative of that."
Fleming also
promised that this shutdown and debt ceiling crisis was only "Round 2. See," he says, "we're going to start this all over again." And clearly, they have every expectation that Boehner will follow them again. And why not? He's made the decision: His gavel is more important than his country.
But, by all means, House Republicans should follow their misguided, dangerous, self-destructive principles. Because there's still plenty of room for them to bottom out in the polls. Zero percent approval is attainable!