Trump's racist outburst reminds us: He's responsible for any shutdown - By Jennifer Rubin

[DonViejo]

By Jennifer Rubin January 16 at 11:00 AM

-snip-

This is a problem of the Republicans’ own making, vividly advertised by President Trump. Trump, presented with the potential for a bipartisan fix to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, nixed the deal and underscored his own racist views with his now-infamous “shithole” (or “shithouse,” if one prefers) comments. He has taken to referring to the Democratic Senate whip, Richard J. Durban (Ill.), as “Dicky” — a childish (as well as unimaginative) insult that reminds us the president of the United States is every bit the man-child Michael Wolff portrayed in his book. The great dealmaker has made a mess of things and has neither the knowledge nor the ability to forge a compromise.

Republicans have backed themselves into a corner, unless they can magically produce a Republican-only long-term spending bill. Democrats have every reason to sit on their hands and withhold their votes unless and until they get a DACA fix and make headway on their demand for more parity between military and non-military funding:

“If they need Democratic votes, the overall legislation needs to meet certain Democratic criteria and be reflective of the values of the Democratic caucus and what we believe are the values of the American people,” Rep. Joseph Crowley (N.Y.), the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said in an interview.

Interestingly, Republicans know that the only way out is to bypass Trump and GOP hard-liners on immigration. There is a four-person group — “the ‘No. 2’s,’ as they are being called on Capitol Hill, including Durbin, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and House Majority Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.)” — and also a bipartisan Senate group, either of which is more likely to produce a workable immigration accord than the White House, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.).

If they leave the deal in the hands of the White House and Ryan, Republicans must know they will careen toward a shutdown. Ryan seems incapable of standing up to the Freedom Caucus — that is, putting a bill with a DACA fix on the floor. Such a bill would gain a majority vote of the entire House and keep the government open but infuriate his conference. (But what would they do — fire Ryan with no alternative?) Ryan still lacks the the courage and the independence of mind to reach for the easy solution — a bipartisan spending bill that solves the DACA issue once and for all. (Clinging to the Freedom Caucus will only increase the GOP’s chances of losing the majority, and with it, Ryan’s speakership.)

Democrats should hold firm, since they know all too well the GOP controls everything and therefore has the power and responsibility to keep the government open. Democrats know Trump’s racist outburst and the public’s overwhelming support for a DACA fix make it politically possible (essential, as far as the Democratic base is concerned) to hold firm.

More:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2018/01/16/trumps-racist-outburst-reminds-us-hes-responsible-for-any-shutdown/?utm_term=.9880f5593576

[yallerdawg]

1. And he says DACA is "on" the Democrats?

The jackass is the one who ended Obama's DACA program!

All he ever has to do is start it up again!

[procon]

2. This won't end well.

Trump is a vindictive psychopath. He doesn't think and has no concern for the consequences of his actions. He cares only about himself and his perceived public image, not the government, the country or the people. He will paint himself into a corner with a government shutdown, and when he's trapped, Trump will lash out, creating and even bigger crisis.

He will shut down the government without blinking an eye, blame his failure in leadership on the Democrats, and to a man, the Republicans will cheer him on. Once it starts, if past is prolog, then Trump won't back down. He can't go back to the table and negotiate with Dems, give into their demands, because that would make him look weak and his fragile ego couldn't survive. With the country paralyzed and locked into Trump's melodrama, what will happen?

[smirkymonkey]

3. K&R