There comes a time in many teenage boys' lives when they look at the old man, decide they don't really like him that much, that they could do better at most anything than he could, and think "I can take him. Right here, right now, I can kick his butt." Fortunately for all involved, most don't act on the thought.
On Tuesday and Wednesday the GOP's unruly teenager, in the person of Ted Cruz, slapped the old man in the face. On Thursday night, he rubbed dad's nose in it.
This is no longer a civil war within the GOP. The fight is definitely on, but the only question remaining is whether the teenager storms out of the house, or the father kicks him out. The youthful, defiant declaration of independence has been made.
Dad has already gotten tired of the boy eating his food while complaining about the cooking.
The Tea Party for years has used the GOP infrastructure to take control of the GOP. With Cruz's declaration that they are not Republicans, the GOP will begin to erect obstacles to the TP playing with their ball. And I wonder if even the Koch brothers have the stamina and resources to fully establish a functioning independent third party infrastructure in time for the family reunion in two years.
Regardless, the boy will be leaving the house. And my gut feeling is that the GOP establishment will be taking the approach of Bill Cosby's father.