Republican leadership still suffering from invertebritis

Jeff G. cites Rep. Steve King’s lamentations over the failure of the Republican House leadership to challenge the automatic spending provisions of ObamaCare:

Some members fear that a direct House challenge to Obamacare funding will lead to a government shutdown and Republicans would be blamed. Others believe a confrontation is futile — because if we passed a funding ban, the president would veto it anyway.

They should instead fear the wrath of the American people, to whom we pledged to repeal and defund Obamacare. The same American people who sent 87 freshmen Republicans to Congress — all pledged to pull Obamacare out by the roots. Will the president shut down the government rather than watch his signature program starve for lack of funds? Would he hold all government functions hostage for a king’s ransom of $105.5 billion? Then so be it.

So be it, indeed. What are the Republicans going to do if Obama is reelected in 2012? Wait until 2016, and hope for a GOP White House win before taking action? You can’t beat back the assault by the Democratic Party on personal liberty by turning into a bunch of delicate Victorian maidens overcome by the vapors every time a fight looms. If the Republicans are afraid to do the right thing until they fully control both the executive and legislative branches – and unless the polls are overwhelmingly favorable – the party might as well disband now.