If a Government shutdown actually would help Trump's ultimate agenda, Trump would have arranged it.

[Tom Rinaldo]

When the dust of conflicting arguments finally settles, that's the truth that stands. It would have been so easy for Republicans to make sure that their so called Continuing Resolution failed to clear the House. Johnson whipped the Republican caucus HARD to get it to pass. He could easily have let a few Freedom Caucus fanatics go astray, which would have killed it cold. If Trump's authoritarian power grab is made easier by a government shutdown, he simply could have guaranteed that it happen. If that was what he wanted he could have made it so, and not have risked having Democrats help keep the government open b allowing the "continuing Resolution" pass the Senate..

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. That presumes tRump is competent to form a strategy and then manage it. I have my doubts about that. . . . . . nt

[Tom Rinaldo]

4. Enough of his henchmen are competent enough to urge that ploy

if they thought it would strengthen Trump's hand. And Trump would have gone along, he loves the drama of a dramatic move.

[leftstreet]

2. Have GOPers ever caved to Dems to avoid a govt shutdown?

Probably a dumb question, but I really don't know

[SKKY]

3. I think you give him way, way too much credit...

...He's transactional, not strategic.

[Hornedfrog2000]

6. But putin

Is driving the master plan. We arent at this point because he, and the people around him are incompetent.

[gab13by13]

5. Senator Markey said last night

Krasnov wants the CR, does not want a shutdown.

I see that Krasnov has thanked Chuck for his vote, he is starting the media propaganda machine already that Democrats are on board.

[awesomerwb1]

7. Yep

Murphy and a few others have said it and explained it as well.

[bigtree]

8. one of these things is worse than the other

...easy to discern.

No sense in looking to an inveterate liar for the truth.

[LizBeth]

9. The move did not matter. On paper we see either move, he wins.

[Tom Rinaldo]

11. It matters. Yes there is no "good" legislative solution for Democrats

But the moves Democrats make to counter Trump strongly influence how the issues are framed in the public mind, and how the public perceives who is and who is not fighting on their side. We are virtually at a point where the court of public opinion is as, if not more important than the federal courts when it comes to preserving our democracy.

[LizBeth]

12. I tend to agree here.... (I am going to have to argue this with smart people, looking for opinion),

I tend to agree the look is better. And we are greatly in need of the look being better for Dems, and not being facetious, I agree. I am all for AOC taking that seat and have not like the man for a decade, thought useless. All irrelevant. SO....

Seems though the other side of optics is that shut down gives trump more power and ability for destruction without the ability to reconstruct.

[radius777]

10. Exactly, Trump/Vance whipped hard to get all R's

to vote for it, so they wouldn't need to compromise with Dems. Trump did not want a shutdown, as it would further cause markets to deteriorate, gov't services to dry up - and for Trump's poll numbers to fall further.

Beltway politicians simply don't get it - the general public doesn't even know what Congress/Senate does. But they know who the president is and will blame him for it, as polls show. Especially that Trump calls himself the 'deal maker'. If deals aren't getting done it would be his fault.

The Dems gave up the one lever of power they had, and in doing so, only helps to enable what is happening. Now the Republicans have a clear path to pass their Reconciliation bill (with mega tax cuts for rich, big cuts to programs) which only requires a simple majority in the Senate, nothing Dems can do to stop it.