Until now, Republicans have usually acquiesced to its confrontationally conservative wing on some of the big fights – shutting down the government over Obamacare funding, rejecting tactical maneuvers to gain leverage on fiscal cliff negotiations. But there are signs that the establishment is now eager to fight back. McConnell has declared war against his chief conservative nemesis, the Senate Conservatives Fund, blacklisting consultants and candidates doing business with the group. The Chamber of Commerce is now willing to involve itself in primaries, already spending six-figures in an Alabama Congressional runoff between an establishment Republican and a grassroots conservative. Even Boehner, who has been criticized for bowing to his right flank, hit back at them today, saying opponents of the budget deal were “using our members and… using the American people for their own goals.”

Many Republicans believe counter-attacks by the establishment is exactly the formula for unifying the party. It’s time for more sticks than carrots, the thinking goes. But that ignores the fact that conservative voters are driving the rise of outside groups, not the other way around. These are the voters who hated the bank bailouts, resent campaign committee involvement in Republican primaries, and think politicians are too quick to “go Washington” when elected, enjoying the perks of power over the principles of politics.

These tea party voters aren’t going away, and are the driving force behind the conservative opposition. That’s why seven of the 12 Republican senators on a ballot next year face primary challenges, even if most aren’t all-that-credible.

That means the dysfunction is here to stay, whether Republicans like it or not.