The government shutdown is good for Trump and good for the wall. He said what he meant and he meant he wasn’t bluffing. Good, old fashion follow-through is one of DC’s lost virtues. If the current budget isn’t passed by the start of the new 116th Congress on January 3, then it will die. It already has approval of the White House and has passed the House. The quickest way to end the government shutdown is for the Senate to pass the bill.
Ultimately this is a game of “chicken”. Either way, we should expect whining everyday. The key to Congress surviving a government shutdown is the theater of talking everyday as if “today’s the day” that the government will reopen. It’s somewhat akin to the act that Democrats and drive-by news anchors put on about how “today’s the day” when they will find the “silver bullet” to stop Trump.
There is no such silver bullet, not even today.
The main actors rising above the dust are the Kushners. Jared and Ivanka are drafting deals and growing coalitions, no matter their father’s opponents. Their progress should be bigger news.
So, over Christmas, the worms of Capitol Hill take pot shots at each other and the president is referred to as a child for sticking to his promises, just as Clinton did when he vetoed the budget. One of the best kept secrets about government shutdowns is that the government doesn’t actually shut down. To some, that’s a disappointment. Even Mueller’s investigation continues, but the Supreme Court might stuff coal in his stocking. The holiday season has many more surprises yet to come.
Supreme Court Intervenes In Apparent Mystery Mueller Case | DC
House passes spending bill with border wall money — setting up shutdown stalemate with Senate | CNBC
House GOP cancels news conference as potential for Trump veto increases shutdown fears | CNBC
The exodus of New York City’s endangered middle class | NY Post
Panicked about a stock-market crash? What you need to remember fits on one note card | Market Watch
Dow set for drop following its worst week in a decade | CNBC
Top Trump official calls bankers, will convene ‘Plunge Protection Team’ | Yahoo – Reuters
Glenn Greenwald on Sucker Journalists—and Why There’s No Silver Bullet Coming for Trump | Observer
Ivanka scores her own big win, joins Jared as Trump’s secret to bipartisan deals | WA Examiner
Shutdown Enters Third Day With No Urgency to Reopen Government | BQ
A matter of distrust: Deadlocked lawmakers head home for the holidays | LMT Online
Amid shutdown, bigger worries are brewing | Stamford Advocate
California’s 2020 shadow sparks New Hampshire fears | Politico
Corker responds to Trump tweet: ‘Alert the daycare staff’ | The Hill
Rand Paul’s Festivus ‘grievances’ include comparing Lindsey Graham to Senator Palpatine | The Hill