Nothing focuses the mind of a politician quite like a competitive race. In the wake of Liz Cheney’s primary challenge, Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi has now taken a hard-line on funding ObamaCare. He has joined the efforts led by Sens. Lee, Cruz and Paul to strip funding to implement the health care law out of any measure to fund the government.
“U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., will not support a continuing resolution that funds further implementation or enforcement of Obamacare,” his office explained in a statement highlighting his support of the defunding effort.
Behold the primary challenge effect.
Enzi was not an obvious target for a primary. Unlike Sens. Alexander or Graham, Enzi has a solid conservative voting record. His only real deviation is his aggressive push to allow states to collect sales taxes on internet purchases. A conservative case allow this could perhaps be made, but not in the manner Enzi has proposed.
Cheney’s chief argument against Enzi is that the quiet 69-year old lawmaker represents the “go along, get along” faction in Washington.
“I’m running because I believe it is necessary for a new generation of leaders to step up to the plate,” Cheney said when she announced her candidacy. “I’m running because I know as a mother and as a patriot that we can no longer afford simply to go along to get along.”
Sen. Enzi seems to have gotten the message.