Reply #11: Their bluff is ridiculously transparent.

[pa28]

Republicans represent the very wealthiest corporations and individuals and those core sponsors simply will not allow their fortunes to be jeopardized by default and the resulting financial chaos.

As you said, their "base" has the most to lose of anyone and I suspect the top .01 percent feel a gnawing resentment at their fortunes being used as a bargaining chip. Republicans are weakened by pressure from their own side but sometimes I think our own side is too wrapped up in the election cycle or too financially compromised in itself to see it.