(CNN) -- Who's afraid of Grover Norquist? Fewer and fewer Republicans, thankfully. In recent days, the declarations of independence from Norquist's absolutist anti-tax pledge have been coming fast and furious. Add Southern Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Lindsey Graham to the growing list, along with Reps. Peter King, Steve LaTourette and Scott Rigell. Chambliss kicked off the most recent outbreak of common sense by telling a Georgia TV station, "I care more about my country than I do about a 20-year-old pledge." He added, "If we do it (Norquist's) way, then we'll continue in debt." On ABC's "This Week," Graham doubled down by saying, "I agree with Grover, we shouldn't raise rates, but I think Grover is wrong when it comes to we can't cap deductions and buy down debt. ... I will violate the pledge, long story short, for the good of the country, only if Democrats will do entitlement reform."
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John Avlon: A growing number of lawmakers are breaking with Grover Norquist's tax pledge
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He says they won't to pay fealty to anti-tax activist; he hems them in on dealing with debt
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He says if Dems are to deal on entitlements and GOP on raising tax revenue, pledge has to go
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Avlon: Even Reagan closed loopholes, raised taxes; time to realize extreme stance no help
Reasonable @placeholder and Democrats need to take on their respective special interests to get a long-term deficit and debt deal done.