For Republicans, Do The Benefits Of Fanaticism Outweigh The Costs?

Jonathan Chiat has an interesting article in The New Republic on the differences between the Republican and Democratic parties, For Republicans, Do The Benefits Of Fanaticism Outweigh The Costs?. "For Senate Democrats, the idea of casting an unpopular vote that won’t result in a bill-signing is beyond preposterous. Democrats in Congress need to have their arms twisted even to vote for controversial bills that would become law. Republicans, on the other hand, want to shift the terms of the debate and will gladly lose seats to do it. Both parties have succeeded at their goals."