On its face, the likely beginning of the path to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history is a major Democratic capitulation.

Most congressional Democrats were against the deal that eight of the senators who caucus with them crossed the aisle to vote that would re-open the government.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren called the move a "terrible mistake"; Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut said it was indefensible; Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, declared it a "policy and political disaster."

And there were far harsher things said about the deal on social media across the political spectrum of people left of center, not just the most progressive.

Make no mistake: bridging the divide is going to be a significant challenge. But des

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