But it can only go down from here.

So they figure they must do whatever it takes, now, in order to avoid political oblivion. You're right. If they were stronger, they wouldn't have to do this. If they were weaker, there would be no point. But in between, they are in a place where they feel they must act, to force a confrontation, to go for broke. And whether or not they have made this calculation correctly is irrelevant. They too, believe they are at an inflection point, a knife edge, the tip of a needle. Action, or failure to act, will have vast consequences. They feel they have no choice but to make their move now.