[nathanbedford]

I detected a subtle change among the talking heads this Sunday as compared to last Sunday. In the discussion among the pundits one week ago there was derision directed toward the Republicans and it continued this week but less vehement, less cocksure than the previous week.

The problem for the left-wing pundits who dominate these shows is that they are increasingly maintaining an immoral position. They are defending a lie and they are applying a double standard. The immoral position is that the law, even though flawed and harmful to the country, will be maintained and, by implication, should be maintained. They are defending a lie which is that it is the Republicans who are trying to shut down the government when it is the Republicans who are trying to shut down Obamacare and keep the government open; and it is the Democrats who are willing to shut down government to keep Obamacare open. Every word out of their mouths had been to the Republicans are bent of shutting down the government, this week: not so clear. They are defending a double standard which is that arbitrary behavior, such as an unwillingness to negotiate and an unwillingness to compromise on the part of the Democrats is to be condoned while vigor in pursuing a defensible policy position by Republicans is unreasonable.

These inherent anomalies are becoming clear. I think the main reason is the bravura performance of Ted Cruz for 21 hours. He was articulate, he was persuasive, he was factually accurate, and he was none of the things which the left has mischaracterized him to be. The pundits were in the position of telling America, believe us never mind your own eyes. That does not work in the television age.

Further, the intransigence of the Democrats is becoming overbearing. Likewise, the exaggerations of the Democrats calling the Republicans arsonists, blackmailers, extortionists etc. is difficult to defend and it simply does not fit with the narrative.

These reactions are purely subjective and quite possibly the result of wishful thinking. But there are straws in the wind. Did I not accurately hear one of the anchors recite a poll in which the public would now blame the Republicans 39% and the Democrats 36% for a shutdown? If so, the gap is closing rapidly and as more Democrats jump ship, the climate might change entirely.

Please note that the Republicans are demonstrating a willingness to both negotiate and conciliate as they move from repeal to defund to delay. In the wake of this the Democrats are now telling the world they will not even negotiate with Republicans but with the terrorists of the world. Who is reasonable and who is not?

Sooner or later, if the Republicans can hold, the anomalies will become the elephant in the room. That is not to say that the Republicans will prevail merely that there are subjective signs that they are gaining ground.

[jjsheridan5]

I do not think your impressions are mistaken. There has been a definite, though subtle, change. The 39R/36D poll (assigning “blame”), if true, is devastating to the Democrats strategy. They need this to be a 30 point split (which, IIRC, was roughly what it was pre-95 shutdown), not a 3 point split. In my opinion, what you are seeing is fear. Fear that the opposition to ObamaCare (which resulted in the loss of “Ted Kennedy’s” seat — thus showing how powerful that opposition can be) hasn’t weakened at all. Fear that, as you point out, the Republicans are positioned such that it is actually difficult to blame them for a shutdown. Fear that they are entering into an off-year, not general, election. Fear, perhaps, of internal polling.

And most importantly, and most glaringly, fear of Ted Cruz.

[Paladin2]

Not to speak of the fact that Bammy is not following the Law of the Land by issuing all sorts of dicktatorial changes (exemptions) willy-nilly.

Where is McConnell who should be lambasting and excoriating Dingy several times a day on the various topics?

[Brad from Tennessee]

[I detected a subtle change among the talking heads this Sunday as compared to last Sunday. In the discussion among the pundits one week ago there was derision directed toward the Republicans and it continued this week but less vehement, less cocksure than the previous week.]

I agree. And the above story in the left-leaning Politico is a warning to Reid and Senate Democrats that their tactics could backfire.