The Democratic base expressed dismay this weekend as a number of Democratic Senators agreed to a deal to end the government shutdown, exposing divides in the party on tactics and strategy. Critics arguing they milked the crisis to energize voters — then caved without concessions.
The shutdown, which was the longest in US history, appears to be nearing an end after seven Democratic Senators and Independent Angus King voted on a continuing resolution to fund the government through January, with some programs such as SNAP being funded all the way through September.
Republicans outraged by the shutdown already accused Democrats of exploiting it to rally their base in advance of last week’s elections in Virginia, where hundreds of thousands of furloughed government workers reside, in addition to other states such as New Jersey that also held elections.
Now, members of the Democratic base and media have echoed similar sentiments, with MSNBC anchor Ayman Mohyeldin accusing Democratic legislators of being ‘cynical’.
The issue was magnified by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, who represents Virginia, being one of the pivotal swing votes to end the shutdown. Kaine claimed that he voted to fund the government due to concerns over healthcare and reinstating federal workers who were fired, but was focused on Virginia’s elections prior to last week.
Democratic strategists have warned that ending the shutdown would anger the party’s base, who believed the party had the upper-hand after last week’s election results and could demand more concessions.
“Caving without concessions would sap Democrats’ momentum and undercut the party’s support from its base”, an internal memo circulated among House Democrats claimed. (RELATED: Wisconsin Moves Toward Digital Driver Licenses—But Privacy Critics Pump the Brakes)
The frustration has already started to bubble over as some Democratic legislators in both the House and Senate blame Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-Ny. for being unable to keep his caucus in line to continue the shutdown.
Some, such as Representative Ro Khanna, D-CA. went so far as to call for Schumer to be replaced. (RELATED: Wisconsin Supreme Court to Rule on Race-Based Scholarships)
“It’s time for him to be replaced. He is not meeting the moment. He’s out of touch with where the party’s base is, Ro Khanna told CBS News.
