"... the rise of an ideological wing that is now willing to stand up to business interests.”
Last edited Thu Oct 10, 2013, 06:23 PM - Edit history (2)
“We are looking at ways to counter the rise of an ideological brand of conservatism that, for lack of a better word, is more anti-establishment than it has been in the past,” said David French, the top lobbyist at the National Retail Federation. “We have come to the conclusion that sitting on the sidelines is not good enough.”
Some warned that a default could spur a shift in the relationship between the corporate world and the Republican Party. Long intertwined by mutual self-interest on deregulation and lower taxes, the business lobby and Republicans are diverging not only over the fiscal crisis, but on other major issues like immigration reform, which was favored by business groups and party leaders but stymied in the House by many of the same lawmakers now leading the debt fight.
“We ask them to carry our water all the time,” said one corporate sector lobbyist, who demanded anonymity in order to speak frankly about the relationship with Republicans. “But we don’t necessarily support them 100 percent of the time. And what has happened is the rise of an ideological wing that is now willing to stand up to business interests.”
After the 2010 elections, the Chamber and other business interests funneled millions of dollars into Republican redistricting efforts around the country, helping draw overwhelmingly safe Republican districts whose occupants — many among the most conservative House members — are now far less vulnerable to challenges from more moderate Republicans.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/10/us/business-groups-see-loss-of-sway-over-house-gop.html?hp&_r=1&
The ironies are numerous. The "anti-establishment" types that corporate republicans are worried about are other republicans.
"...the business lobby and Republicans are diverging..."
"... an ideological wing that is now willing to stand up to business interests ..."
And corporate republicans provided the funding for the gerrymandering that took place after the 2010 election and provided safe seats for the tea party folks that now bedevil them.
In one sense, sweet irony. But so bad for the country.
