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If Democrats Let a Shutdown Happen

September 10, 2025 · 12:01 pm ET · Leave a Comment

Charlie Sykes: “If, indeed, Democrats refuse to keep Trump’s government funded, they cannot merely scratch their ideological id to relieve their frustrations. They must have a clear message and a clear goal. This means that they must (1) clearly explain what they are fighting for, (2) pick a winning issue, and (3) have an exit strategy.”

Matthew Yglesias has an idea for what that might be: “The base is itching for a fight, but Democrats need to pick a winning fight — that means focusing a government funding debate on expiring health care subsidies.”

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Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

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