THE GOP IS BIG ON STRICT LOYALTY

(h/t to Jonathan Chait, The Big Con, p, 57)

Like the Virginia GOP, an energy coalition in 2001 was insistent on absolute fealty:


Trade Groups in Lock Step Behind Bush Energy Policy
[FINAL Edition]
The Washington Post - Washington, D.C.
Author:Michael Grunwald
Date:May 30, 2001
Section:A SECTION
Document Types:News
Text Word Count:872

"To join the coalition, you must agree to support the Bush energy proposal in its entirety and not to lobby for changes to the bill," [Wayne Valis] wrote. "Should the bill change, you must support the changes in the legislation or drop out of the coalition. If you are caught attempting to lobby behind the back of the White House, you will be expelled from the coalition. I have been advised that this White House 'will have a long memory.' "