GOP ESTABLISHMENT LOST ALL CREDIBILITY IN FISCAL FIGHT

To fully understand the state of play in the Republican party, look no further than Sens. Mike Enzi (WY) and Pat Roberts (KS). Both are reliable, mainstream conservatives, yet neither have a record of seeking a fight or standing on principle. Think Orrin Hatch, without the tab-collars. Both, however, stood with Ted Cruz in the fight over ObamaCare. Not coincidentally, both face serious primary challengers.

Sen. Mike Enzi is being challenged by Liz Cheney, who criticizes his "go-along-to-get-along" approach to government. Sen. Pat Roberts, who helped guide HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius through the nomination process, is being challenged by doctor, and Obama cousin, Milton Wolf. Nothing in their legislative record suggests they would have sided with Sens. Cruz and Mike Lee but for these primary challenges.

While most of the media and the GOP establishment try to pin blame for the recent fiscal stand-off on conservatives and the Tea Party, in reality the debate shows how bankrupt the GOP establishment has become. Senators, who serve six-year terms, spend most of their time in office immune from voters. They often get caught up in the world of DC salons. As the ballot box approaches, however, they affect a more conservative posture.

We all remember how Sen. John McCain, a vocal advocate now for amnesty, took a decidedly different tact when running for reelection.

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