http://www.vox.com/2014/11/19/7242987/erickson-shutdown
Erick Erickson has a very good point.
The GOP shutdown the government in 2013. They then proceeded to rack up impressive gains just about everywhere (except policy referenda) in 2014.
What, exactly, are they afraid of?
It's not like the media will point out that one side of the partisan divide a bunch of bomb throwing, lunatic nihilists. Instead, the GOP Congress will insist that Obama kowtow to all their demands or they will simply shutter the government. The media will lament this "lack of bipartisanship" without ever saying that one side simply won't compromise because "opinions differ" blah blah blah.
I do think that the GOP pursuing more governmental destruction will hurt them. There are limits even to the apathy of the American public. But it's clear the GOP has hit on a winning formula:
Assert that government is the problem in American society. Grind the gears of governance to a halt. Show that this proves the ineffectiveness of government, all the while complaining about the tyranny of health care reform as a form of neo-Nazi totalitarianism. Depress voter turnout and win rump elections.
However, the GOP - if it pursues this strategy - will definitely not be entrusted with the White House in 2016. Watching the GOP presidential field have to own the shutdown - because heresy is not allowed - will be amusing.
But burning down Washington won't hurt the GOP control of the House. Because assigning blame is simply too "partisan" to contemplate.
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