Republicans are regimented. Democrats are undisciplined. Just look at the shutdown | Robert Reich

"Chuck Schumer couldn't hold his senators together at a time when their unity and toughness were essential. And at a time when they were winning: most of the public was blaming Republicans for the shutdown, and pressure was growing to reopen the government (flight delays were mounting). Does this mean Schumer should go? Yes. But the issue runs deeper. There's a fundamental asymmetry at the heart of American politics. Democrats are undisciplined. Republicans are regimented."

"For as long as I remember, Democrats have danced to their own separate music while Republicans march to a single drummer. That was the story in 1994, when Democrats had control over both chambers of Congress, but Bill Clinton couldn't get the Democratic Senate to go along with his healthcare plan, on which Clinton spent almost all his political capital. And again in 2002, when most Democratic senators voted for George W Bush's resolution to use military force against Iraq."

"It happened under Joe Biden, when Democrats again controlled both chambers but Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema blocked Biden's agenda. And now, when Senate Democrats finally have some bargaining power to force Republicans to restore expiring healthcare subsidies that could send millions of Americans' insurance prices soaring next year, what happens? They cave. I don't want to over-generalize. Of course, Democrats have on occasion shown discipline while Republicans have fought one another bitterly."

Senate leadership failed to keep Democratic senators unified during a moment of political advantage, causing concessions despite public support. Most of the public blamed Republicans for the shutdown and pressure mounted to reopen the government. Historical examples include 1994 Clinton failing to align the Democratic Senate on healthcare, 2002 Democratic support for the Iraq resolution, and Manchin and Sinema blocking Biden's agenda. A broader pattern shows Democrats tending to cave or fragment under pressure while Republicans often maintain cohesion. Psychological-structural differences fuel this: Democrats operate as a big tent with tolerated dissent; Republicans emphasize strong leadership and regimentation.

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