Under this scenario funders in the fickle business community are likely to keep the checks trickling in. If Republicans pick  the right moderates to chair key committees, the fuss and bother can be kept to a minimum.  Push a little bit in negotiations with the DFL and the Dayton administration, but find "common ground" in the end.

The "strategy" of voting safe and fussing over their constituents has served GOP incumbents well, allowing them to keep their memberships in the exclusive Legislative Country Club.  They are satisfied with their $41,000 salary and they have grown accustomed to the many perks of office.  But the time has come for the GOP lifers (and they know who they are) to ask themselves if they are serving anyone other than Number One. 

The second option - major reform - is full of risk.  For this to work the House and Senate Republican caucuses should consider themselves members of a united One-and-Done Caucus. They should abandon the usual incumbent protection strategies that function only to keep incumbents safely in office, regardless of how they vote. 

Keep in mind that Republicans have complete ownership of both the House and Senate.  They will write the House and Senate Rules.  They will create the committee structure, set the deadlines, write the budgets, hire the staff and set the conditions of employment.  They will determine daily per diem payments, housing allowances and mileage.  They have the authority to finally merge the many duplicative internal offices where staff are warehoused. 

When it comes to passing bills, they have the votes.  There is no reason to include a single compromised provision in any of the legislation that passes both chambers.

This 504 days of majority status is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Time has come to put it all on the line. They will have to face their worst fears as they will no doubt be accused of countless atrocities.  When they vote to cut welfare programs that are consuming the state budget, they will be attacked for voting against the homeless veterans living under bridges.  When they cut local government aid they will be accused of raising property taxes on the elderly while simultaneously cutting the number of cops on the street. 

When they prohibit any government involvement in abortion and push to outlaw the practice in Minnesota, the tired old womyns rights groups will start cackling.  When they repeal green job programs and other environmental nonsense they will be accused of poisoning the water and forcing toddlers to snack on lead paint chips.

When they stop the phase in of new taxpayer "contributions" for government pension bailouts, the government unions will plot their revenge (on state time of course).  When they pass the Emmer/Buesgens bill to repeal the Legacy tax hike, they will be voting to cut welfare payments to the precious dandies of the Sportingperson Community (real hunters don't need welfare).

When they pass an uncompromised elections integrity bill that includes photo ID and closes the loopholes that allow the Democrats to rig election results, they will be accused of disenfranchising minorities.  

Every reform will escalate the rhetoric, but for once the Republicans have the votes and that's all that matters. 

While the risks are great, so too are the potential rewards.  A One-and-Done strategy will keep the public focused on their cause.  In the end they may actually gain something that most politicians have long since given up on:  Respect.  They shouldn't be surprised if they get re-elected on that basis alone.  They will have earned it.  They will have done their jobs.