Chuck Schumer Has a Lot in Common with John Boehner

Josh Huder: “Chuck Schumer is facing the problems well known to House Republican leaders. Internal divisions have placed him in a losing position. As a result, coalition management becomes the priority. How can he satisfy members clamoring to oppose Trump and those wary of flagging poll numbers and elections? You pull a John Boehner. Shutdown the government to offer a fig leaf to the a base until defeat is obvious and some face-saving message can be found…”

“Put simply, this shutdown decision is a Democratic coalition issue masquerading as a Republican v. Democratic showdown. Democrats will not win a shutdown. So how do you gracefully exit an impossible situation?”

Matt Glassman: “In some very real sense, it doesn’t matter if the liberals are wrong about a shutdown on the substantive political merits. If they are a substantial part of your coalition, you need to cater to their preferences. Leaders who don’t follow that maxim are not long for their jobs.”