Schumer made the smart move.

[Ol Janx Spirit]

188. The problem here wasn't with the shutdown vs. no shutdown showdown...

...but the lack of any coherent strategy in the months that Democrats had leading up to the very-well-known deadline. With no groundwork being established to put Democrats in a position with the American people to justify and clarify their budget fight--knowing this was coming--they were really in no position to allow the shutdown to happen so early into the new term. The shutdown would absolutely be an excuse for the Kakistocracy to do a lot of terrible things and shift blame for everything to the Democrats. It was classic: a failure to plan is a plan to fail. That is what is really aggravating. However, the Republicans have bought the gun, loaded it, and sighted their scope squarely on their foot--but they haven't pulled the trigger just yet. It would seem that America has to feel that pain before it is truly ready to see who is to blame for what will be some very bad outcomes due to things that many of them support. Not an ideal situation--just a reality. My problem with Schumer is not for this vote, but for seemingly having no strategy in the runup to it that would make a coherent argument to the American people about why they might have to make this very difficult vote that would get anyone not already infected with MAGA on their side. Now that this is done they better be planning for what is next--but I will not get my hopes up.