It is understandable that many Democrats are furious with t he senators who voted to end the government shutdown . There is a feeling that, finally, Democrats had leverage over Donald Trump as SNAP benefits were cut and Americans largely blamed Republicans, not the Democratic Party, for the resulting chaos. The overwhelming electoral victories last week across the country only seemed to strengthen the Democratic position. Why cave now? Especially when the stated goal — saving Obamacare subsidies — won’t actually be achieved?

These questions highlight the ultimate Democratic dilemma and why their Senate leader, Chuck Schumer, who gave cover for enough of his colleagues to break with the caucus and vote to reopen the government, was doomed: The Democrats really had no feasible endgam

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