If you replaced “body” with “caucus,” you could ask the same question of House Speaker John Boehner. It was clear, from the start, that Boehner’s heart wasn’t in the shutdown or the fight to defund the Affordable Care Act. But now his caucus has lost its desire to fight as well. As reported by several outlets, Republicans have agreed to a “deal” that reopens the government through January 15, raises the debt ceiling through early February, allows the Treasury to resume “extraordinary measures” to delay hitting the debt limit, requires both chambers to reach a budget deal by December, provides back pay for federal workers, and requires enhanced income verification for Obamacare beneficiaries.

There’s nothing in here for Democrats, but that doesn’t matter: It’s a complete capitulation by Republicans, made worse by the beating they’ve taken in the court of public opinion…