Businesses are reconsidering their relationship with the Republican Party after conservative lawmakers appeared to disregard warnings about the impact on the economy of a government shutdown.
According to The Wall Street Journal, most businesses intend to continue their support of the GOP, but many are frustrated with the gridlock in the party, and some, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, are considering ways to boost moderate Republicans over tea party candidates in the next election.
The conversation among businesses is "characterized by tremendous frustration and angst," Dirk Van Dongen, president of the National Association of Wholesale-Retailers, told the Journal. "Because at the end of the day, the system is supposed to produce results, and the failure to produce results has consequences."
The Chamber of Commerce, which urged House members to vote for the temporary government funding bill, is researching GOP challengers who could be viable next year, according to the Journal. The group has already added the vote on the government shutdown proposal to its scorecard for determining endorsements.
Many businesses executives see that approach as necessary.
"I am not going to give up on the Republican Party — I am going to encourage moderation," Mark Thierer, chairman and CEO of Catamaran Corp, told the Journal.
Businesses are also concerned that without a spirit of compromise, the GOP may not be effective in tackling other big issues on their agenda, such as immigration and tax reform.
"Today we have a significant number of people who don't want to compromise because they think they can win something that's been unwinnable," John Engler, the former GOP governor of Michigan who now heads the Businesses Roundtable, told the Journal.
Related stories:
Businesses Worry About a Prolonged Shutdown
Business Groups Beg for No Govt Shutdown
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