The Government Shutdown is the Work of the so-called Kamikaze Caucus GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Passage Question

The government shutdown is the work of the so-called kamikaze caucus of about 40 Tea Party Republicans in the House of Representatives. But why is the body of the Republican Party in thrall to its erratic right foot? Maybe the real blame should go to the far more numerous non-Tea Party Republicans (moderate), who have been unable or unwilling to restrain the radicals. Behind this question lies another. Why are Republicans unwittingly repeating the errors of a previous generation of moderate Republicans who elevated Newt Gingrich to party leadership? It was Gingrich who pioneered the political dysfunction the USA still lives with. His actions - particularly his move to shut down the government in 1995 and 1996 - undermined popular trust and ushered in the present political era of confrontation and obstruction.

But here’s the catch: Gingrich, of Georgia, rose to party leadership because he was the preferred candidate of the moderates themselves. They even sided with him against Robert H. Michel of Illinois, the House minority leader from 1981 until 1995, who, in his civility and willingness to cooperate with Democrats, embodied the moderate’s political sensibility and asked his fellow House Republicans to be “responsible participants in the process.” The problem for Republicans was that playing a “responsible” role appeared to consign them to permanent minority status. As moderates came to believe that nothing was to be gained from cooperating with Democrats, they became more receptive to Gingrich’s argument that the way to dislodge the entrenched majority was to polarize the electorate while attacking Congress as an irredeemable and illegitimate institution.

Moderate Republican voters, governors, and financial backers will be horrified if the present confrontation leads to a constitutional crisis or global economic meltdown, but they have scant influence over the radicals in the Tea Party caucus. And many of them fear that launching a direct challenge to the radicals would send the party back 40 years in the political wilderness, particularly as the party’s demographic base continues to shrink. The Republican Party won’t change course until the Gingrich strategy for winning House elections stops working.

The government shutdown is the work of the so-called kamikaze caucus of about 40 Tea Party Republicans in the House of Representatives. But why is the body of the Republican Party in thrall to its erratic right foot? Maybe the real blame should go to the far more numerous non-Tea Party Republicans (moderate), who have been unable or unwilling to restrain the radicals. Behind this question lies another. Why are Republicans unwittingly repeating the errors of a previous generation of moderate Republicans who elevated Newt Gingrich to party leadership? It was Gingrich who pioneered the political dysfunction the USA still lives with. His actions - particularly his move to shut down the government in 1995 and 1996 - undermined popular trust and ushered in the present political era of confrontation and obstruction.

But here’s the catch: Gingrich, of Georgia, rose to party leadership because he was the preferred candidate of the moderates themselves. They even sided with him against Robert H. Michel of Illinois, the House minority leader from 1981 until 1995, who, in his civility and willingness to cooperate with Democrats, embodied the moderate’s political sensibility and asked his fellow House Republicans to be “responsible participants in the process.” The problem for Republicans was that playing a “responsible” role appeared to consign them to permanent minority status. As moderates came to believe that nothing was to be gained from cooperating with Democrats, they became more receptive to Gingrich’s argument that the way to dislodge the entrenched majority was to polarize the electorate while attacking Congress as an irredeemable and illegitimate institution.

Moderate Republican voters, governors, and financial backers will be horrified if the present confrontation leads to a constitutional crisis or global economic meltdown, but they have scant influence over the radicals in the Tea Party caucus. And many of them fear that launching a direct challenge to the radicals would send the party back 40 years in the political wilderness, particularly as the party’s demographic base continues to shrink. The Republican Party won’t change course until the Gingrich strategy for winning House elections stops working.

Reading Passage Question
‘The government shutdown is the work of the so-called kamikaze caucus’ is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.
This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 3 comprehension questions.
The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analysing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Questions and Solutions

1.The passage suggests that the author of the passage believes which of the following? 

1. In mid 1990s, cooperating with the Democrats would push the Republicans to permanent minority.
2. The ongoing political crisis will make the moderates realize they are overpowered by Republicans.
3. The Republican Party is highly reluctant in bringing about any changes in its present way of functioning in the government.
4. In last 40 years, Democrats have not been so erratic to push the country to the brim of economic meltdown.
5. A strong political stand by moderates can bring the current political crisis of the country to a conducive end.

2. The primary purpose of the passage is to

1. The passage enumerates the reason for the current political turmoil and alludes to the possible outcome of this crisis.
2. The passage highlights the current political fiasco and delves into the historical events to establish its beginning.
3. The passage brings forth the mistakes the moderates Representative did in the past and are reaping results in the present.
4. The passage reveals though historic examples that political blunders have long-lasting effects on the economy.
5. The passage talks about how a dominant political party can thwart even the noble moves of the governing party.

3.According to the passage, what can be understood of “the body of the Republican Party”?

1. The phrase refers to the moderate Republicans who do not enjoy the same political standing they used to some six decades ago.
2. The phrase refers to the group of Republicans that includes the moderates as well as the radicals.
3. The phrase points to the supporters of Newt Gingrich, who supported him against Robert H. Michel.
4. This body is independent of any political group in its ideology and support to the governing party.
5. The group consists of important political and financial dignitaries who have considerable influence on the Republicans.

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