Just who are Oregon Republicans trying to kid?

More than a week and a half after Republicans in both chambers of the Legislature walked out of Salem in protest of Democrats’ cap-and-trade bill, they decided to float the idea of returning for the last day of the session. With the cap and trade bill all but dead, Republican leaders Sen. Herman Baertschiger, Jr., of Grants Pass, and Rep. Christine Drazan, of Canby blithely offered to have their caucuses come back to work and provide the necessary quorum for the Legislature to conduct business ­– that is, for select bills that they believe should be brought forward.

Clearly, Republican legislators didn’t just go out of state – they visited another planet. One on which they apparently are the majority power in the Legislature and call all the shots.

Back in Salem, however, the offer didn’t fly. Democrats rightly rejected Republicans’ ransom note and decided to close up shop early. The arrogance with which Republicans have held up the session and blocked bills providing aid and support to Oregonians across the state should not be rewarded.

A failed session, for sure, with critical business left undone. But at least the charade is over.

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Republicans can legitimately complain that Democrats have, at times, abused their majority power – passing bills with emergency clauses in which no emergency exists, for example. But their main gripes are with Democrats’ legislative priorities, not with process. Attacking Democratic lawmakers for pursuing the policies that voters endorsed by choosing them is nothing more than an attempt to overturn the election.

If Republicans want to have the power of the majority, then they need to win it. That’s how our democracy works. But it’s hard to see how they can build a convincing case that they merit such power when they won’t even report to work. Their decision to walkout – after Senate Republicans walked out twice last year – may have its fans, but it’s a limited number.

And the minority risks getting even smaller. It should be noted that two Republicans ­–Rep. Cheri Helt of Bend and Sen. Tim Knopp, of Bend – continued to show up at the Capitol, bucking their caucus. But as Republicans in districts that have turned decidedly Democratic, they are undeniably vulnerable in their upcoming re-election bids. It would be unfortunate for many reasons if they pay the price for their colleagues’ actions, but that’s one of the possible outcomes when Republican leadership makes such a grievous miscalculation.

As is often said, elections matter. Voters should ask themselves if they got what they wanted.

- The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board