President Joe Biden’s public spending plan has a Goldilocks dilemma for Democrats. Some centrists are concerned it is too huge, and that it will lose them their seats. Progressives worry if the base is too tiny, it will stay at home.
Democrats Know the Midterms Will be Tough
However, almost everyone acknowledges if Democrats fail to approve anything, their majority in Congress may be lost in November 2022.
“If we don’t approve it, we might as well be shooting ourselves in the foot,” Rep. Juan Vargas warned of Biden’s two-part plan on social welfare and infrastructural programs. “I believe it’s on everyone’s minds this is our best chance of passing something significant.”
Poll: Biden approval rating falls to low of 38 percent https://t.co/CBRJhFPLTL pic.twitter.com/WMUGvnNdQo
— The Hill (@thehill) October 8, 2021
Sen. Tim Kaine, a former head of the Democratic National Committee, said, “Completing both infrastructure and reconciliation is critically important to Democrats preserving a House majority and maybe one in the Senate. Then, there’s the performance of Biden’s first presidential term, which is directly tied to that.”
Many liberals argue they aren’t fixated on the electoral stakes of Biden’s program, as progressives and moderates compete on the scale and scope of the president’s huge spending proposal.
However, as the president’s support ratings fall, many Democrats throughout the country quietly admit fulfilling the president’s two primary goals will be critical. They currently face an almost impossible congressional map and no room to lose in the Senate.
Republicans Go Straight for the Jugular
Meanwhile, Republican attack advertisements are airing in battleground states across the country. They’re branding the measure a “socialist” budget proposal that delivers tax incentives to Democrats’ “wealthy pals.” In New Jersey, weak Democrats have been bombarded with ads blaming them for reducing Medicare.
HOLLYWEIRD: George Clooney Blames Biden’s Poor Approval Ratings on … DONALD TRUMP! https://t.co/rcSZyBh3uM
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) October 11, 2021
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver stated, “No one is suggesting, ‘You realize, socially, we need to do this.’ Although, I’m sure others are considering the obvious, namely, that we can’t do anything at all to harm the president. We are jeopardizing our prospects of retaining the majority if we do so.”
Rep. Henry Cuellar cautioned if liberals fail, “we will show we as a governing party cannot get things done.” Party officials anticipate the pressure to succeed will finally bring progressives and moderate Democrats together.
They have been at odds for years over how far to take their once-in-a-generation chance to rebuild major federal services. Liberals also point out several of their measures are broadly supported, such as extending paid parental leave, raising taxes on the rich, and dealing with climate change.
Bear-hugging proposals like comprehensive child care and governmental medicine price negotiations are among the most endangered Democrats in the House. However, the price tag (which started at $3.5 trillion, but is anticipated to end up closer to $2 trillion dollars) remains a massive hot button topic and the most apparent target for Republicans.
