I know. This is why people are sick of all politicians and want a non-pol running. I understand the point Cruz wanted to make, and thought it totally wrong, tactically, effectively, and symbolically. Attaching anything to any bill-—highway or otherwise-—smacks of “more inside Washington” stuff to voters.
That 2011 two week shutdown was ridiculous.
Obamacare was exempt from the shutdown, yet that was the initial stated goal of it.(this was known here before it even started.
When that goal failed the NEW stated goal was just cutting spending, with individual spending bills like funding the troops, we were not supposed to mention defunding Obamacare anymore because it stayed funded.(also because we were supposed to claim that Cruz + were against a shutdown)
Then they passed a bill that payed federal employees for their time off (two week shutdown) to take effect AFTER the shutdown was ended.
So many confused and contradictory messages, no chance of success.
Now this PP thing could be played right as it really looks bad for them.