It didn’t take long after the three-day federal government shutdown ended for liberals in the Democratic Party and the mainstream media to do all they can to assign blame for what is being called the “Trump Shutdown” by CNN Newsroom guest and Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.), who branded it as “insane” and was a result of the “complete ineptitude of this president and Republican leadership.”
Wasserman Schultz hurled those accusations during the Monday afternoon edition CNN Newsroom, which surprised liberal co-host Brooke Baldwin, who pressed her guest to get her to “identify one take-away victory Democrats achieved” from the incident.
Baldwin began the interview by asking if Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), caved under pressure to end the stalemate.
Wasserman Schultz responded by stating:
What I say is that we have been dealing with this Trump shutdown because of the complete ineptitude of this president and Republican leadership.
We are five months into the fiscal year … [and] we are still kicking the can down the road because Republicans won't come to the table and negotiate with Democrats.
Baldwin then expressed sympathy for her guest, who served as chairperson of the Democratic National Committee from May of 2011 until July of 2016, when she was accused of favoring Hillary Clinton over Senator Bernie Sanders during the 2016 presidential contest.
“Congressman,” the co-host stated. “I hear you on your frustration. I hear you on your frustration with the president.”
Her guest then claimed that the entire matter was “insane.”
Baldwin responded with a similar question: “I hear you on your frustration with the president, but I'm asking about the leader of your party on the Senate side; did he cave?”
At that point, Wasserman Schultz decided to change the subject.
“Every senator has to make their own decision about whether this exclusively Senate deal is something that they are comfortable with,” she stated.
“As a House member, I will be voting no, and I will be voting no because of the reasons I just described to you,” the Democratic official noted.
“Republicans need to come to the table and negotiate to lift the caps,” she added, “which if we don't lift them, we'll risk an irresponsible kick in of the sequester, which is designed to never kick in.”
“It is supposed to be so egregious, so harmful that we would never allow it to happen,” Wasserman Schultz stated.
In addition, she indicated, “this bill does not include and didn't include protection through disaster relief from my state after Irma and for Puerto Rico after Maria and Texas after Harvey.”
“There are a variety of reasons not to vote for this,” she continued. “We need to protect … our Dreamers” -- immigrants who entered the country as minors under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) legislation -- “and make sure we protect our children's health insurance, community health centers and our military.”
“It sounds like there was a lot that wasn't in this deal,” Baldwin indicated before asking her question again. “I have to harp back on what one thing can you point out that the Democrats that leader Schumer, what one thing did he get, you know, from Republicans to justify shutting down the government in the first place?”
Wasserman Schultz finally addressed the co-host’s query, but with an unsatisfying response:
The one thing I would say that he did get is the potential for momentum because ... I am certainly hopeful that's what occurs.
If [Kentucky Senate Majority Leader Mitch] McConnell can be taken at his word and over the next three weeks, before February 8, they can negotiate on protecting the Dreamers and making sure we have a full-year comprehensive budget that lifts the caps and making sure that we can be responsible for the budget again.
Amazingly, Baldwin was still not satisfied.
“I am sorry. Congresswoman. I am so hung up. I know Americans are listening; they heard you say potential for momentum. Was that really worth shutting the down the government down for?”
When in doubt, Wasserman Schultz went on the attack.
“Republicans should be asking themselves that question because they shut the government down,” the guest growled. “This is the ‘Trump shutdown.’ They control the White House, the House and the Senate. They have the full ability to pass the budget, done whatever they wanted.”
“The bill that I'll have in front of me has no confirmation from me,” the liberal guest added before asserting that the shutdown was “purely a result of [the GOP’s ineptitude]. Their inability to govern. The madness has to stop.”
The 2018 midterm elections must still be a long way off since Wasserman Schultz is calling for cooperation instead of winning back Congress, which is undoubtedly the Democrats’ strategy for November.
