Trump's shutdown gift to Pelosi: A unified Democratic caucus

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Donald Trump has done something remarkable in the government shutdown: He's unified the diverse new House Democratic majority firmly behind Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

It's not even about the wall at this point. Democrats are sticking together with an unusual amount of unity as a way to strengthen Pelosi's hand and set a tone in the new Congress that Trump can't simply demand $5.7 billion — using federal workers as leverage — to get his long-promised border wall with Mexico, or anything else on his wish list.

"People do understand that this is no longer just about the wall, it's about how Donald Trump operates with the Democratic majority in the House," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.

"If we give into him on this, what happens if he wants to cut Social Security or Medicare or end legal migration or cut food stamps?" she asked. "Do we allow him to take us hostage for anything he wants?"

Pelosi, she said, is already proving herself to be a "strong" speaker, unlike her recent Republican predecessors. "She's also not afraid of him."

More..

https://news.yahoo.com/trumps-shutdown-gift-pelosi-unified-democratic-caucus-054817263--politics.html

=====

I know. I was always envious on how the Republicans locked step with their president while we had to have our individual say. One reason why the public option was not part of the ACA was because of some objections. These are no longer in office.