Kevin Duffy on the political divide in the U.S. over government shutdowns

There is a huge political divide taking place in the U.S. over the government shutdowns.  Democrats have dug in their heels, essentially doubling down on the lockdowns and doing everything they can do to delay reopening.  The Republicans appear to be largely united in reopening.  This divide is happening within states.  E.g., Georgia (Republican governor) was one of the first to open, but the Atlanta mayor (Dem) resisted.  Here in Pennsylvania, we have a Democrat governor because the two main cities, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, are highly progressive.  Other than the suburbs of those cities, the rest of the state is a sea of red.  Commissioners of 6 counties (all Republican) are planning to reopen in defiance of the governor (see here).

This is extraordinary, something I haven’t seen in my lifetime: open disobedience at the local government level.

For once, the Republicans are actually on the right side of an issue.  This will be the only issue in the November elections.  I think that means Trump wins in a landslide despite his inept handling of the economy and the bailouts, stimulus packages, and money printing (which will do untold damage).  More importantly, it will have ramifications for the elections of congressmen, senators, and state governors.  There is the potential for a terminal blow to the Democratic Party.

I almost always tune out politics because nothing changes, but it feels different this time, at least at the margin.  If the progressives become politically homeless, we still have to contend with the Republican Party… which is a disaster.

~ Kevin Duffy, May 11, 2020