What comes first for Republicans—ski fundraisers or fiscal cliff hostage-taking?

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Ski fundraiser) Here's an incentive to get serious about making a fiscal cliff curb deal that congressional Republicans can understand: High-dollar fundraisers on the schedule in coming weeks.

Republican Sens. Mike Lee, Orrin Hatch and Jim Risch are all scheduled to hold separate fundraisers in their home states during the first two weeks of 2013.

Lee is slated to host his second annual "Ski Day" in Park City, Utah, on Jan. 3. Hatch has planned a ski event of his own in Deer Valley, Utah, on Jan. 4. And Risch has planned to host his "First Annual Hunting Excursion" in Idaho.

Money, the opportunity to suck up to donors, skiing, hunting! We know Republicans will hold the country's well-being hostage without blinking. But this is different'this is something they actually care about.