OK Democrats - Let's not snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Stand your ground on the shut down. [View all]

Here is the real take away from Tuesday's elections. Trump and MAGA are both on an accelerating death spiral. Broad swaths of the electorate rejected both on Tuesday.

The Democrats principled stand on the health care issue has already won over a majority of the people. Even a large number of Republican Senators and Representatives realize this. Senate Republicans have already defied Trump by refusing to entertain his demand to do away with the filibuster. That could have something to do with they realize that they may be in the minority in the next Congress. I have no doubt they are ready to cut a deal with the Democrats on health care and several other things as well.

Dynamics amongst Republicans in the House are rapidly changing. Trump is greatly weakened and his threats of primary challenges to sitting members with ever more far far right wing candidates no longer is the real threat. After Tuesday they now realize that the real threat is from pissed off voters in both parties. They also realize that the only way they can possibly hold on to their seats is to make some sort of attempt at rational governing. That means that the shut down must end ASAP. When the Senate sends a compromise budget bill to the House, it will only take a few sane (more or less) Republicans along with Democrats to pass it. The pressure on Trump will be overwhelming from all sides and he will be forced to sign the bill.

I'm going to go out on a limb here. Over the next few days Republicans are going to continue to get an earful from angry constituents. The handwriting is on the wall. Republican Representatives are going to demand that MAGAt Mike (who I'm betting is going back down the road to obscurity fairly soon) reconvene the House. Both houses of Congress will cut a deal by next week. It will cover health care costs, SNAP benefits, guarantees that furloughed employees will get back pay, and several other small goodies. The Democrats will be handed the best campaign issue ever too take into the midterms. Trump's weakness will be even more obvious.