This would have several advantages. One, we know the GOP leadership hasn't the stomach for the kind of fight required to make a difference anyway, so why bother? The left would then have the choice of burning down the country entirely, which their far left base wants, or restraining themselves, which would drive their far left base over the edge.
The media would still seek to blame the GOP, of course, but if the GOP played it right, even fewer would buy the media's crap that do now.