You're not wrong and are perfectly illustrating why so many are SICK TO DEATH of the GOP.
It's not really fair to blame "the GOP", though, and certainly not all those members who
do hang tough. The problem is the relatively small number of the most "moderate" members who just aren't willing to jump off a cliff for hardcore conservatism. Most of them are from more moderate districts that wouldn't elect a hardcore conservative.
That problem isn't caused by the party label. It's just the reality of who voters are willing to elect. You could eliminate the GOP tomorrow, and it wouldn't magically turn those voters or reps more conservative.
I'm not saying we can't/shouldn't hold the debt limit hostage. We just need to pick the right issue that would have support from both those moderate members and the voters who support them. So we come out of this showing voters not only that we are tough, but also responsive, and can get done the things they want to see.
And that's how you expand your majority in 2024.
So to me, this is actually the first
real test for the Freedom Caucus. Do they think strategically, and grab whatever limited victory is actually attainable, or do they insist on a hardcore approach, get
nothing, and reduce the status of conservatism in the eyes of voters?
Maybe something like "no federal funds for surgical or hormonal gender transitioning of minors.". So you don't cut off counseling, but tax dollars can't go to mutilate kids. Popular issue, will resonate with most potential GOP voters, and the Senate.might go along.