Norquist, like a Bond villain, has an irresistible penchant for spelling out his master plans in their full, nefarious detail.
And he does.He spelled it out quite plainly:
Once the minority of House and Senate are comfortable in their minority status, they will have no problem socializing with the Republicans. Any farmer will tell you that certain animals run around and are unpleasant, but when they've been fixed, then they are happy and sedate. They are contented and cheerful. They don't go around peeing on the furniture and such.
He was writing from the perspective of being in the majority, but between Bush's veto pen, the hideous Bush Dogs, and the 60-vote Senate not much has changed. They can only be neutered by the Republicans if they let themselves be. And when they do, they won't look tough. The White House expected them to cower in fear:
White House officials and their allies were angry that the Democrats did not "blink," as one outside adviser said. The decision to defy the White House came in the form of a weeklong adjournment of the House yesterday afternoon.
To restate yet again: you don't look tough when you surrender.