Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) tried to blame Democrats for a potential government shutdown, but NBC’s Chuck Todd through water on the GOP talking point by stating the fact that Republicans also oppose the continuing resolution.
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Here was the exchange on MSNBC’s MTP Daily:
Kennedy: They’re trying to make the C.R. Inviting to some members of the house and obviously by extending the C.H.I.P. Program, they are trying to invite some Democrats in the Senate to come aboard. I happen to be one of the biggest proponents of reauthorizing C.H.I.P. I think we should have done it a month ago. We know we’re go — going to do it and we need to stop scaring people. The biggest mistake that could be made, I don’t think it will be made and they are too smart for that and care too much about the country would be IFS if our democratic colleagues said if we don’t get DACA, we’ll shut the entire government down. I think that would be a huge mistake. And I don’t — I don’t think —
Todd: The Democrats aren’t alone. You heard senator graham. He has sort of had it here. I guess he’s not the only Republican feeling this way. This complicates the math. You can’t pin this all on the Democrats, can you?
Kennedy: No, I’m not saying that the C.R. Is a done deal. But I think when it — when the dust settles you’ll see most Republicans — I won’t say all — but most Republicans reluctantly vote for the C.R.
Kennedy went from an implied talking point that Democrats will be the party solely responsible for a government shutdown to something more like well, I expect Republicans to vote for the CR, but it’s not a done deal.
If Republicans were smart, they would start negotiating a DACA deal, which would be really easy to do. Place one or two sentences in the legislation stating that the Dreamers can stay, and the problem would be solved. Since Trump and his party are terrified that their immigrant hating base will turn on them if they do the smart thing, they have to demand “border security” to hold off a right-wing rebellion.
Todd was right. Republicans really can’t say that Democrats will take the blame if the government shuts down.
The problems are on the Republican side, and it is the Republicans who will be pummeled if the government shuts down on Friday.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
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