Republicans are winning the shutdown, and even CNN has to admit it. We turn now to my favorite pollster, Harry Enten, who has some shocking news for his colleagues at the network. Take a look.
That’s right: GOP poll numbers are actually up! The way Republicans are choosing to handle the shutdown is actually resonating with voters. And not just their own voters, but also with independents. Republican voters, the MAGA base, they’re excited that the party is sticking to its guns, and independents are also rewarding them for it. I think that’s very telling.
GOP voters do not want feckless establishment leadership to succumb to Democrats’ efforts at emotional blackmailing over healthcare coverage, welfare payments and federal employee salaries. Because let’s keep in mind, Democrats are asking for everything. They want to maintain healthcare insurance subsidies that were intended to be a temporary COVID measure. But like most temporary government spending programs, Democrats now expect them to become permanent.
Democrats were willing to let the government shut down and say, look voters! Look what those mean Republicans are doing to you! They’re willing to withhold your paycheck, if you’re a government employee. They’re willing to take away your welfare! Blame them!
Well, it’s not working. Republican and independent voters know that, at this point, the Democrats own the government shutdown. They could vote to end it anytime — Republicans are ready! But Democratic members of Congress are afraid to go along with this, because they fear the anger of their furthest left voters, who are demanding they stand up to the Republicans, even in performative and self-sabotaging ways.
Well, they’re only hurting themselves, because a majority of voters — not everyone clearly, but enough people — are with the GOP on this one. Even CNN’s Jake Tapper sounded ever so slightly exasperated with congressional Dems.
He’s right. I think plenty of Americans have decided that Democrats own this shutdown now. We’ll see how that affects the midterms next year.
Robby Soave is co-host of The Hill’s commentary show “Rising” and a senior editor for Reason Magazine. This column is an edited transcription of his daily commentary.
