Get your popcorn and root beer ready. We might be headed for another showdown over a government shutdown.
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), also known as “Chuck and Nancy,” began the conflict by refusing to meet with President Donald Trump because he posted mean things on Twitter about them. Rather than come to the negotiating table, they decided to take their ball and go home.
Remember when former President Obama and the Democrats used a government shutdown to make fools of the GOP in 2013? Well, it appears the tables have turned.
Chuck and Nancy Refuse to Attend Bipartisan Meeting with Trump
Democratic and Republican lawmakers were scheduled to meet with President Trump Tuesday to discuss, amongst other issues, funding the government. Earlier in the day, President Trump took to Twitter to express his skepticism about working out a deal with the Democrats:
“Meeting with “Chuck and Nancy” today about keeping the government open and working. Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I don’t see a deal!”
In response, the dubious duo issued a joint statement that they weren’t going to deal with the president. Instead, they would just speak with Republican lawmakers. “Given that the president doesn’t see a deal between Democrats and the White House, we believe the best path forward is to continue negotiating with our Republican counterparts in Congress instead,” they whined.
It was a blatant attempt to shut Trump out of the negotiations. The two legislators all but pleaded with House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to boycott the meeting as well, but they were rebuffed. When the time for the meeting came, both Pelosi and Schumer were absent.
Trump Trades Twitter Barbs with Chuck and Nancy
Unfortunately for Chuck and Nancy, their childish grandstanding has backfired. Sitting between two chairs, which were left empty for Schumer and Pelosi, President Trump said, “They’ve been all talk, they’ve been no action. Now it’s even worse; it’s not even talk.” Their nameplates remained in place as a reminder to the American people that the two lawmakers refused to come to the table.
Something’s missing here…
Rep. Pelosi responded with a laughable attempt at her own Trump-style tweet, “@realDonaldTrump now knows that his verbal abuse will no longer be tolerated,” she wrote. “Poor Ryan and McConnell relegated to props. Sad!”
Sorry Nancy, but for some reason, putting “sad” at the end of a tweet only works when Trump does it.
After his comments at the meeting, the president didn’t let up on the Democrats. On Tuesday evening, he tweeted:
“After North Korea missile launch, it’s more important than ever to fund our gov’t & military! Dems shouldn’t hold troop funding hostage for amnesty & illegal immigration. I ran on stopping illegal immigration and won big. They can’t now threaten a shutdown to get their demands.”
There is much at stake if the government isn’t funded. States will see a loss in funds under the Children’s Health Insurance program. Areas that were affected by the recent hurricanes may not receive the money they need to facilitate their rebuilding efforts. Additionally, the Democrats have given themselves a December deadline to pass the DREAM act.
December 8th is the deadline for passing a new funding bill. The GOP wants more defense spending while the Democrats want to increase domestic spending. If the parties cannot come to an agreement, the government will go into a partial shutdown, which wouldn’t be good for Democrats.
It’s Not Looking Good for The Democrats
In 2013, the government shutdown lasted for more than two weeks. Obama, with the help of the left-wing establishment media, deftly placed the blame on the Republicans who only controlled the House. The Democrats controlled the Senate and the presidency at the time.
However, it might not be as easy this time around. The Republicans now have control of both houses of Congress and President Trump has the bully pulpit, which he is more than willing to leverage.
Moreover, the media doesn’t have the trust of the American public as it did in 2013. If a government shutdown occurs, they will undoubtedly do their utmost to convince the nation that it’s all Trump’s fault. However, it is unlikely that the country will believe them — especially after the behavior of Chuck and Nancy Tuesday.
If Schumer, Pelosi, and the rest of the Democratic party want to be taken seriously, they can’t run away from negotiations just because the president made comments they did not like. If they continue to use this approach, it will be much easier for Trump to lay the blame at their feet if the government shuts down. Either way, the political battle is shaping up to be even more entertaining than a WWE match.
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