GOP Elders See Shutdown as Big Distraction

New York Times: “The hard-line stance of Republican House members on the government shutdown is generating increasing anger among senior Republican officials, who say the small bloc of conservatives is undermining the party and helping President Obama just as the American people appeared to be losing confidence in him.”

“From statehouses to Capitol Hill, frustration is building and spilling out during closed-door meetings as Republicans press leaders of the effort to block funding for the health care law to explain where their strategy is ultimately leading.”

Washington Post: “Party veterans say they are increasingly concerned that a
prolonged standoff in Washington could damage their prospects for
winning back the Senate in 2014.”