Fast forward a little more than a year later. Republicans take the Senate majority in a commanding sweep, winning nearly every contested race in the country, and governorships, and expanding their hold on state houses and adding to an already significant majority in the House. I’m not suggesting that a shutdown helped Republicans win. But what evidence is there that a single voter changed their ideological position or stayed home because of the partial shutdown of federal government— which, despite the best efforts of the hand-wringing press and president, didn’t sink the economy or effect most Americans in any tangible way?

McConnell attempted to satisfy pro-lifers this week, allowing a vote on the post 20-week ban that he knows will has no chance of passing and creates no genuine national debate. It won’t be enough. Because just when the cravenness of the abortion movement is most graphically on display, Republicans ask their constituents to wait around for President Bobby Jindal to take care of the problem. Can you imagine Nancy Pelosi preemptively ceding the fight on Obamacare because she hadn’t nailed down the votes? (Though I hope the GOP doesn’t use reconciliation for anything other than repealing legislation that was passed using reconciliation.)

I’ve long argued that Boehner’s House doesn’t get enough credit for playing an important role in blocking harmful policies over the past eight years. It’s also true that the base’s expectations of a minority party are often out of whack with reality. And a shutdown for spectacle’s sake alone would be destructive. But a preemptive surrender is no better.