The GOP House members from swing districts historically have rolled over for the extremists in the name of party unity even though the Freedom Caucus is effectively its own party with its own separate nihilistic agenda. The removal of McCarthy seems to have aroused some strong feelings, however, and the outcome of the election of a new Speaker is very much in doubt. Could this be the time the moderates actually stand up and insist on their right to control the party? Will they use the threat of cooperation with moderate Democrats to bend the extremists to their will?
I don’t know about you, but I’m not holding my breath. My guess is that they would rather put their own seats at risk in a general election than arouse the wrath of Fox News, Trump, and the far right.