Republicans brace for 2016 free-for-all – Maggie Haberman and Jake Sherman – POLITICO.com.
The problem is that there is ZERO chance that the grassroots is simply going to follow blindly along in abject obedience to party leadership. Trust has been betrayed and now there is the accountability to pay.
This primary season has already sent a message that they had best listen to, regardless of how Boehner tries to bluster it. Seats that otherwise would have been considered primary safe had to be defended. Regardless whether they won, the fact that the challenges had to be taken seriously is significant. And there were enough upsets to get the point across that a) we aren’t going away, b) we *will* be watching you and c) you will be held accountable.
Now if the leadership can work under those expectations and treat us with a modicum of respect, then we can probably work together. If not, then be assured, your days of power – even as second fiddle – are numbered.