I think the Dems made a calculation that I would have also made. Keep the ball in Trump’s court and keep the blame his. The next shutdown is also going to be Trump’s shutdown. Multiple shutdowns in the same year that are both Trump’s fault hurts Trump. There’s a risk if they didn’t accept this temporary capitulation, it could be turned on them. Is it ideal? Fuck no. But it does give Dems additional leverage three weeks from now that they wouldn’t get by prolonging the shutdown. Now I could be wrong and the Dems could end up capitulating three weeks from now, because they’re the human equivalent of a garden gate that often blows open in a stiff breeze, but I like to think that even the most cynical among them don’t see how acquiescing to Trump’s hostage-taking benefits them.
Side note: I spelled acquiescing right the first time I typed it and I am so proud right now.
