Revenge of the Nerds

Another important dynamic in yesterday's deal was what drove the Moderate Republicans to sign on to it. Principle may have played a part of it. But I also suspect there was a little bit of payback involved to.

The Mods have been the nerds of the Republican caucus for several years now. They have seen their influence and stature decline since at least the 1994 Gingrich revolution. They have been the butt of the joke from the new kids on the block.

They have been as abused by their erstwhile comrades as Jim Jefford's was, but they weren't as willing to surrender their party (either through stubborness or simple cowardice).

The Deal was a way for them to strike back at the Dobsonites and Rovians and say that they were still relevent, that they still had power, that they are tired of having their lunch money stolen and being thrown in their lockers.