I put this down to timidity. Political courage means putting your neck on the line. And while some are willing to do this, being asked to do so again and again tends to erode their courage.
Add that to the Republican establishment, who, comfortable in their seats, want no more arguments with anyone. They become “go along to get along” types. Some, no doubt, have even convinced themselves of the “inevitability” of the liberal agenda. So ‘moderation’ or even when they call themselves ‘conservatives’, what they are saying is that they agree with the liberals—they just do not want the liberal agenda as fast as the liberals.
Make no mistake, Washington does severely punish those with core values, because it seeks compromise in all things, and those with core values tend to foul that machine.
>> “Make no mistake, Washington does severely punish those with core values, because it seeks compromise in all things, and those with core values tend to foul that machine.” <<
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Amen!