Opposition to Common Core academic standards is rising within Republican Party circles, but Idaho’s two Republican U.S. senators are split on the issue. And their reasoning is noteworthy as well. Sen. Mike Crapo says the Common Core question has been vetted at the state level, and he sees no need for federal officials to interfere. Sen. Jim Risch says Idaho should establish its own standards, describing Common Core as a federal mandate. For federal lawmakers, Common Core is more than just an academic question. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, recently urged Senate appropriators to cut off federal spending on Common Core implementation/Kevin Richert, IdahoED News. More here.

Question: Is this the case of the center-right in the Republican Party opposing the Tea Party right on another controversial issue?