Part 6/10:
The ongoing crisis is viewed as a strategic lever for Democrats, who see the fight as part of a broader political contest against Republican policies, particularly those associated with Donald Trump and a conservative agenda. However, some Democratic strategists are cautious, warning that the pain inflicted by a prolonged shutdown—such as rising health insurance premiums—could ultimately tarnish Republican accountability, especially since control of the government is currently split.
There is mounting concern about whether the Democrats’ hope of leveraging the shutdown to their advantage will hold if the American public begins to suffer tangible hardships, including spikes in healthcare costs.