Yet nearly all Republicans, taking advantage of a congressional recess, are staying silent despite more and more evidence that the President used his power to pressure a foreign nation for personal political gain.

Most of the few Republicans who have broken cover are struggling to come up with a logical defense of the President’s actions — but his grip on the GOP is evident in the unwillingness of most to criticize him. And the President’s assault on former GOP nominee and Utah Sen. Mitt Romney — who he branded as a “pompous ‘ass'” is underscoring the price Republicans will pay for rebuking the commander in chief.