Do Democrats Know What They're For?

"It is understandable that many Democrats are furious with t he senators who voted to end the government shutdown. There is a feeling that, finally, Democrats had leverage over Donald Trump as SNAP benefits were cut and Americans largely blamed Republicans, not the Democratic Party, for the resulting chaos. The overwhelming electoral victories last week across the country only seemed to strengthen the Democratic position. Why cave now? Especially when the stated goal - saving Obamacare subsidies - won't actually be achieved?"

"These questions highlight the ultimate Democratic dilemma and why their Senate leader, Chuck Schumer, who gave cover for enough of his colleagues to break with the caucus and vote to reopen the government, was doomed: The Democrats really had no feasible endgame. They do not control the government. Republicans have their trifecta, and Trump and his party can do what they want. That was the consequence of the 2024 election that Democrats will have to live with until at least 2027."

"But there was an incoherence to the overall Democratic messaging and strategy. No strong or compelling argument was ever made for the shutdown. It was either to save Obamacare or stop funding fascism or win some other concession from the GOP that was likely not forthcoming. Democrats can at least comfort themselves that the prolonged shutdown may have benefited them in Virginia where they seized a governing trifecta last week and voters, many of them reliant on the federal government."

Many Democrats reacted angrily to senators who voted to end the shutdown after perceived leverage against Trump emerged as SNAP benefits were cut and voters blamed Republicans. Electoral victories seemed to strengthen Democratic resolve, yet the party lacked a feasible endgame because Republicans control government institutions and hold a 2024-election mandate. A longer shutdown might have pressured Republicans, but Democratic messaging remained incoherent and divided over goals such as saving Obamacare or stopping harmful policies. Senators feared losing the filibuster and therefore their remaining leverage, which contributed to the decision to reopen the government.

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