Interesting counter-intuitive argument from Ambinder: what the Republican Revolution has already accomplished for those who are waging this battle.

The “hostage-takers” have already succeeded in:

1. Closing the government at will;

2. Smashing the hierarchy of one of America’s two major political parties;

3. Redefining the meaning of small government conservatism and significantly changing the expectations of small government conservatives;

4. Cutting the government with a hacksaw;

5. Ensuring their re-election.

Democrats will not be able to participate in the practice of governing until they understand that, to a large extent, their opponents have won.

I think it’s a scarey-good argument and we do need to recognize that the terrain on which this battle is being fought is not quite the same as the one we normally think of as “our government.”

theweek.com