Things Fall Apart

Playbook: “The conventional wisdom in Washington is that legislating grinds to a halt during an election year. Rather than make risky compromises, lawmakers worried about their campaigns revert instead to posturing for their constituents and donors. Partisan show votes become the name of the game, and nothing gets done.”

“This week, we’re seeing just how true that is. Despite high hopes for bipartisan accord, campaign-trail dynamics have two big Capitol Hill deals hanging by a thread.”