WaPo:*Why the Democrats lost their nerve in the shutdown battle*

[VOX]

This is a tough one. Robert Costa is a frequent contributor on Rachel and Lawrence O’D. I disagree with the analysis,
but this is how the Post is framing it. Please don’t shoot the messenger — the Post overall is as leftish as a newspaper can be.
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Why the Democrats lost their nerve in the shutdown battle
http://wapo.st/2DyKhVu
By Robert Costa, Erica Werner and Karen Tumulty
 January 22 at 4:58 PM PT


From the outset, the government shutdown had been a test of wills. On Monday morning, the Democrats realized they had lost theirs.
At a caucus meeting in a room just off the Senate floor, a group of vulnerable Senate Democrats told their leader, Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.), that the cost of their effort to protect young undocumented immigrants known as “dreamers” from deportation was rapidly escalating. It could imperil what was otherwise a promising outlook in November’s midterm election — and with it, the Democrats’ hopes of ending their exile from power.
With the shutdown heading into its third day, they were feeling the heat and finding it hard to control the messaging war. Voters in Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin were getting Republican robo-calls saying Democrats had “prioritized illegal immigrants over American citizens.”
<snip>
This time, it was the Democrats’ turn to learn what Republicans have before them: First, that bringing the government to a halt is not an advantageous way for the opposition to force through the policy objectives it has not been able to achieve through legislating. And second, that the party that holds the White House has the upper hand.
Polls consistently show that a large majority of the public is sympathetic to the plight of the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who were brought to this country illegally by their parents, and opposes President Trump’s decision to end the Obama-era program...
<snip>
A flood of social media fury was directed at Schumer for a “cave” by “weak-kneed, right-of-center Democrats,” as the Progressive Change Campaign Committee framed the Democrats’ move. Outraged liberals moaned that Democrats had won nothing but a fig leaf to cover the fact that they had broken down.
<snip>

[YessirAtsaFact]

1. Bullshit spin

We got Chip funded for six years and we only agreed to funding until 2/8.

Then we get DACA.

It’s not about trusting the turtle. The Democrats will have the same leverage Feb 8 that they had earlier today.

[Cha]

2. Thanks.. some can't get that through

their head.

[YessirAtsaFact]

5. Politics is the art of the achievable

I think that quote was attributed to Bill Clinton, not sure.

Whoever said it, I believe it.

[Cha]

6. It's true.. it's reality and that's what we

are dealing with.

[fallout87]

3. Just to be clear..

There will be a vote on DACA(dream act) in the senate. No promise it will be passed or even heard in the House. Also, the WH would veto if it happened to pass both chambers, which it won't in today's climate.

[Demsrule86]

10. I never believed we could get DACA this way...maybe not anyway. So we got CHIP and we can try again.

We don't have the power to save DACA...that is the truth so Costa whom I don't like and the Post can say what they want...Trump rescinded the EA...the GOP has had months to fix this if they wanted to . They just aren't going to do it. We can spend the three weeks trying to build support and see what happens ...not getting my hopes up. But it certainly is not the Democrats fault that they can't stop the evil Republicans when the God damned voters awarded them the entire Congress and the presidency.

[VOX]

4. Agreed. Dont know why the Post is framing it as a loss.

And it’s not the only piece in the Post that takes that line. From Amber Phillips, same source:

There is no ironclad agreement the Senate will vote on a bill, let alone that it will pass, let alone that the more conservative House of Representatives will take it up, let alone that will pass, let alone that Trump will sign it into law.

It appears that the pundits are disappointed that the shutdown ended so quickly. Guess it means fewer clicks and views.

[maui902]

7. It's not only bullshit spin, it's harmful spin

Republicans, as they always do, will frame the issue as a huge win for the military and a big loss for Democrats who caved. And many of the most prominent progressive voices (the Washington Post, Don Lemon) are framing today's decision as a complete failure by the Democrats, which is not only demoralizing to many progressives, but undercuts framing the issue as it should be framed: Democrats gave the Republicans an opportunity to live up to their promises. We don't trust Republicans, but if we can get a reasonable deal done on DACA by February 8, then we'll agree to extend the CR for a much longer period of time. But if we don't get a deal done on DACA, then you've shown us that you can't be trusted, so the entire Democratic delegation in the Senate will oppose any CR after February 8. That's the framing that will elicit the most public support, which is essential if you are going to support a government shutdown.

[Kirk Lover]

8. That's the key. Why is anybody who is pissed or whatever...the Dem's "caved" realize that um

hello it's funded only until 2/8 which is right around the corner.

Gonna be another showdown at OK Corral. And this time...we are all in.

[YessirAtsaFact]

9. And the pugs havent got chip funding to withhold this time

[Major Nikon]

11. Theres other benefits as well

Many GOP districts have significant Hispanic populations, and now that demographic is going to be even more polarized against the GOP. Also, sooner or later that pressure is going to force the GOP to make a deal on DACA, and when they do it’s going to piss off their xenophobic base.

This was very much a strategic win for Schumer.