What Were Democrats Thinking?  —  Back in September, when I was reporting an article on whether Democrats should shut down the government, I kept hearing the same warning from veterans of past shutdown fights: The president controls the bully pulpit.  He controls, to some degree …

A Quick Take on Team Cave's Big Win  —  I have what I suspect is a somewhat counterintuitive take on the deal Senate Democrats' Team Cave made with the Republican Senate caucus tonight.  This is an embarrassing deal, a deal to basically settle for nothing.  It's particularly galling since …

‘Schumer is no longer effective’: Dems outraged over shutdown deal … After 40 days of stalemate, eight members of the Senate Democratic Caucus voted to advance the bill Sunday night, though notably none of the eight are up for reelection in 2026.  But it's Schumer — who voted no Sunday …

“It's complete BS”: Dems go ballistic over Senate shutdown deal  —  Democratic lawmakers and liberal grassroots groups erupted Sunday night as moderate Senate Democrats moved to cut a deal with Republicans that would put an end to the government shutdown.

Democrats Are So Angry, One Senator Faces Blowback From Her Daughter  —  Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire voted to move to end the shutdown.  But her daughter Stefany Shaheen, a congressional candidate in their state, sharply criticized the deal.  —  It's not great when your defiant kid says you are wrong.

The Shutdown Surrender  —  It makes perfect sense to me that the Senate Democrats caved last night and voted to end the government shutdown with only the vaguest of promises from Senate Republicans: I am a lifelong Washington Wizards fan.  I am accustomed to watching my team throw away a lead.

Sanders on shutdown vote: ‘A very bad night’  —  Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) criticized Senate Democrats for striking a deal to begin the process of reopening the government, warning of the consequences of not extending health care subsidies.  —  “Tonight was a very bad night,” Sanders …