As this post goes live, there are lots of rumors of some sort of “deal” between Democrat and Republican “moderates” to end the government funding impasse.
The Democrats, and particularly Chuck Schumer, have talked themselves into a dead end of seeming to put the interests of illegal aliens ahead of U.S. citizens. That’s not a viable political strategy, but it’s the strategy Democrats chose by making continued government funding contingent on a DACA deal.
Democrat strategy not only mixes issues, it mixes time frames. Funding is needed now, but DACA does not expire until March (and probably later, since a federal court order has halted the termination, and it may be months before the appeals and Supreme Court reverse that injunction).
Democrats putting illegal aliens ahead of citizens is a message Republicans have been pushing effectively, which is quite surprising because Republicans usually are the stupid party when it comes to messaging.
While Mitch McConnell is not the most effervescent speaker, his deadpan delivery has been pitch perfect this time.
The White House also has been unusually on message: No negotiation on DACA or immigration until the Democrats stop the funding filibuster. No negotiation with those who take American citizens hostage.
Trump tweeted: “Democrats are holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration. Can’t let that happen!”
This has left Dems squirming, with one unnamed House Dem telling a reporter:
“The charge ‘The Democrats shut down the government to protect illegal immigrants’ is a political loser and does nothing to get us to 218.”
There should be no “deal” to end the Democrat filibuster. Unconditional surrender must be the only alternative.
That surrender doesn’t have to involve — yet — any compromise by Democrats on DACA or the broader issue of immigration. That can come later. DACA is factually unrelated to the shutdown except for the fact that Democrats thought they could get concessions on DACA by blocking a funding bill.
Against this strong and potentially game changing Republican advantage comes one Lindsey Graham, continuously trying to undermine the administration. The White House finally said what needed to be said after Graham accused Stephen Miller of being the problem and an outlier on immigration:
“As long as Sen. Graham chooses to support legislation that sides with people in this country illegally and unlawfully instead of our own American citizens, we’re going nowhere. He’s been an outlier for years”
Democrats are going to have to capitulate because their position is unsustainable.
The public humiliation of Chuck Schumer from such a surrender will impact future negotiations on DACA and other issues. Letting Schumer and Democrats off the hook by allowing them to gain any advantage from the shutdown will embolden them.
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