If there is any strategy involved... which I doubt... it is to not do anything that will energize the opposition so that they will not bother showing up during the next election. It is similar to Obama’s foreign policy of “leading from behind”.
I have to grant that that’s a remote possibility, but what purpose does it serve in holding fast to conservative principles? It gets them re-elected, but to what purpose?
That could be it. Just as likely is the Boehner Way, summarized: ‘Don’t rock the boat; don’t upset the applecart; maintain the status quo.’
Boehner thinks he’s in DC to get along with his fellow Permanent Political Classers, of both parties, amass wealth, wield power, play golf and enjoy drinks at the country club. Anything that poses the least threat to these ends must be massively and quickly crushed. Anything that furthers these ends must be promulgated.
Hence the problem. Both Boehner and McConnell need to go, for starters. All their closest associates, lieutenants and enablers must also go.
Odds of getting that done are low. But it is our only hope.