Julian Zelizer : Republicans are on a suicidal course on budget issues . The House of Representatives passed the first version of its fiscal year 2012 budget, which would cut $61 billion from current spending levels and raise taxes by $1.2 trillion over 10 years. Zelizer : If Republicans want to win public support , they need to debate spending without manufacturing crises .
Julian Zelizer : Republicans are on a suicidal course on budget issues . He says forcing a government shutdown or a debt limit crisis would harm an already weakened GOP image . Zelizer : If Republicans want to win public support , they need to debate spending without manufacturing crises .