Republicans are thankful for President Barack Obama’s health-care law; it provides a respite from their bitter schisms. The government shutdown and the near-default were devastating for the party. If it takes a drubbing, as expected, in the Virginia gubernatorial race this week, there will be fresh recriminations.
Looming is the immigration debate, which is even more divisive and politically perilous for Republicans. The House leadership will decide in the next few weeks whether to take up piecemeal measures, with an eye toward an eventual resolution with a Senate-passed bill, or to scuttle the law.
The party is as divided as the stakes are huge. CONT.
Al Hunt, Bloomberg