There’s a huge risk in even beginning the process, too (as proponents of the talking filibuster have been calling for). Sen. Mike Lee and other conservatives have primed the GOP base to believe it’s possible to sustain a talking filibuster as a way to pass the SAVE America Act. Sure, that’s technically true. But as Thune pointed out here, it’s never been successful. And Thune has continued to maintain that there isn’t enough GOP support for tabling all Democratic amendments, which is the only way to ensure that the bill can pass as-is — even putting aside Trump’s demand for more provisions to be added to it. When it ultimately fails, will Lee & other proponents just throw up their hands and move on? I doubt it. The base will be pissed, and that could get ugly for GOP leaders.