Have Republicans Boxed Themselves Into a Government Shutdown?

[Draggingtree]

RedState:

Have Republicans Boxed Themselves Into a Government Shutdown?

 

By: Erick Erickson (Diary) | January 2nd, 2013 at 09:09 PM

First of all, I hope so.

But have they boxed themselves in?

Consider that the fiscal cliff deal is playing badly with lots of folks, not just partisan Republicans and partisan Democrats. Congress playing brinksmanship with nothing to show for it really is aggravating the American public.

If both sides are going to play at brinksmanship, at some point the base of the parties and the American public are going to expect more than last minute can kicking and f-bombs. More importantly, the Republican base feels very slighted by its leadership. Mitch McConnell played lead negotiator to a tax hike that, ironically, raises taxes least on people making $200,000.00 to $400,000.00. The middle class, because of the payroll tax kicking back in, will feel a bigger tax increase according to the left and it looks like they are right.

Saying it wasn’t a tax increase because the vote happened on January 1st is not going to cut it with middle class Americans who are going to see their taxes go up.

Additionally, there are a number of Republicans who can expect primary challenges and need to show they have spines

I'll vote for a shutdown / will U