What if Democrats’ big shutdown loss turns out to be a win?

The US Capitol in Washington. Despite considerable hand-wringing in the party about caving to Republicans in the shutdown fight, some Democrats see potential upsides in the outcome. (The New York Times)

At first blush, the deal that paved the way to end the government shutdown this week looked exactly like the kind of feeble outcome many Democrats have come to expect from their leaders in Washington.

After waging a 40-day fight to protect Americans’ access to health care — one they framed as existential — their side folded after eight defectors struck a deal that would allow President Donald Trump and Republicans to reopen the government this week without doing anything about health coverage or costs, enraging all corners of the party.

But even some of the Democrats most outraged by t