WASHINGTON — Democrats are optimistic that the electoral victories for Democrats might pressure President Donald Trump to negotiate with them to reopen the federal government following the weeks-long stalemate on Capitol Hill.

"Maybe last night's results will convince him that this strategy of disengagement it's not helping, it's hurting," Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine told reporters. The Democrat also credited the Trump administration's efforts to downsize the federal government and the historic shutdown for the victory of Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger in the Commonwealth. "Thousands of Virginians fired. They kind of view the shutdown as a continuation of Donald Trump's economic chaos, and that made him very very unpopular," Kaine added.

On Wednesday, Trump continued blaming Democrats for

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