Republican leaders seek the best of both worlds in fiscal - year 2004 . On the debt ceiling , they wanted to oppose an increase they felt was necessary . The goal was to avoid the ire of conservatives by getting Democrats to pass it . Opposition by the conservative party wing forced GOP leaders to take politically risky steps .
Republican leaders seek the best of both worlds in election-year politics . On the debt ceiling , they wanted to oppose an increase they knew was needed . The goal was to avoid the ire of conservatives by getting Democrats to pass it . Resistance by the tea party wing forced GOP leaders to take politically risky steps .