Can Democrats Stay United?

Punchbowl News: “The Senate is scheduled to vote this evening — for the fifth time — on advancing the House-passed bill to fund federal agencies through Nov. 21. There are no indications yet that additional Senate Democrats will vote for the GOP funding measure. Only three have done so up to now.”

“But Senate GOP leaders continue to believe that enough Democratic senators will cross the aisle eventually to pass the Republican CR, so they aren’t abandoning their strategy of forcing successive votes. If Democrats block the measure again, Senate Majority Leader John Thune can set up another vote for Tuesday. If that fails, the next vote wouldn’t be until Thursday…”

“If Republicans maintain their current strategy, Senate Democrats will have to decide at some point whether what they’re fighting for — chiefly, an extension of the Obamacare enhanced premium tax credits — is worth the growing pain of the shutdown. Public polls show that Democrats have the upper hand on messaging, but that could change quickly.”