From RollCall, a great explanation why moderate Republicans are falling in line against compromise on the debt ceiling:
The conservative Club for Growth issued a warning shot Monday in the home states of Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Dick Lugar (R-Ind.).
The deep-pocketed group bought air time for advertisements criticizing the records of the Senators — both of whom are vulnerable in their respective GOP primaries next year. The spot intends to serve as a warning to Hatch and Lugar not to vote to raise the debt ceiling without a strong spending reduction package, including spending caps and a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
. . .
Lugar and Hatch — the two most senior Republicans in the Senate — will likely have tough primary challenges next year. State Treasurer Richard Mourdock has announced he will challenge Lugar, and Rep. Jason Chaffetz indicated he will soon jump into the race against Hatch. The Utah contest would likely be decided at a statewide convention of party activists.
The club already expressed interest in supporting Chaffetz last month, when its president, former Rep. Chris Chocola (R-Ind.), declared, “Run, Jason, Run” in a press release. The club also has met with Mourdock.
This fits with a handful of topics we cover in class - both 2301 and 2302. For 2301 its a great examples of the sort of strength interest groups - especially business groups -- have on the political process. It shows how well heeled groups can put pressure on members of Congress not only by airing negative ads, but also by recruiting candidates to run against incumbents in primaries. Primary elections - as we mention in 2301 - tend to be dominated by extremes of either party, and pull party members to the sides with them. To compete successfully, the incumbents have to start voting in a way that will not be used against them in the primary. When we discuss elections we suggest that primary elections, along with gerrymandering have led to the party polarization we see today. This is a great example of this dynamic at work.
The point for 2302 is similar but in reverse. With the increased costs of campaigns, candidates become beholden to certain groups, and access to further campaign cash becomes something they can dangle before the member.
