Democrats Must Address the Real Reason They Want a Shutdown

"What many "economic populists" took away from the 2024 elections is that Americans were happy to restore to power a convicted felon who contemptuously rejected any limitations on his power because they vaguely remembered the economy doing well during his first term and Democrats failed to offer them more money in their pockets. The lesson going forward was that a majority of voters were okay with a little fascism if it meant lower grocery and gasoline prices."

"But he's breaking a lot of other things as well, and Democrats are fundamentally divided as to whether their alarm over his wild power grabs and generally authoritarian demeanor is something they should prominently share with voters. It is not a theoretical issue, as it happens: it's at the center of how Democrats should explain their position on the federal government shutdown that is scheduled to begin at midnight on September 30."

"Their divisions last time stopgap spending authority ran out in March left them looking weak and completely ineffectual. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, whose caucus had the rare power to deny Republicans a stopgap bill via a filibuster, talked tough and then folded when a shutdown grew nigh, enraging Democratic activists and creating the appearance that Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries weren't on the same page."

Many progressives hold that voters prioritize material interests over cultural or constitutional concerns. Some economic populists interpreted the 2024 election as evidence that voters tolerated authoritarian behavior in exchange for perceived economic gains. Donald Trump is failing to deliver on living-cost promises and is breaking other norms, creating potential midterm costs for his party. Democrats are split over whether to highlight his power grabs or concentrate on economic messaging. Unity is essential during the impending federal government shutdown. Prior divisions in March made Democrats appear weak after Schumer folded following filibuster threats, angering activists.

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