The Lucky House Republicans

Paul Ryan's credibility saved them after the shutdown. Now onto immigration reform.

Dec. 19, 2013 6:34 p.m. ET

Republicans are like Auburn University's football team: They're lucky. Just as they were suffering from the ill-advised government shutdown, the ObamaCare website launched, elevating Republicans and diminishing Democrats. The president's job approval sank to new lows, further pumping up Republicans. And last week they reached a budget compromise with Democrats without causing excessive heartburn in their ranks.

That the budget deal didn't prompt a wave of recriminations among conservative Republicans was a surprise....

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