Why does Chuck Schumer make such a big production out of doing things he knows are very likely to fail, like Wednesday’s big vote on reproductive rights? ed_kilgore offers some possible explanations
Chuck Schumer rattles a small plastic saber in response to the apparent imminent abolition of abortion rights. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images In gesture that has become almost ritualistic in this Congress, today Senate Democrats will respond to a major challenge — in this case, the Supreme Court’s apparent intention to strike down Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to an abortion — by taking a doomed vote.
In other words, Senate Democrats’ apparent weakness over the past two years reflects actual weakness, not just stupidity or some avoidable errors. And the majority leader deserves some respect for keeping his troops mostly in line. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, “getting close” only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Schumer keeps beating his head against a West Virginia–shaped wall to show the base that he is at least attempting to do the right thing, though Manchin will not let him. The impetus to try, try again is particularly strong since core Democratic constituencies face dire, immediate threats, including state voting restrictions, punitive polices toward immigrants and refugees, and bans on abortion services.
He’s holding Republicans accountable for their unpopular views. On issues where the Democratic position is relatively popular, it may make sense to speak loudly despite certain impeding defeat in order to force Republicans to “own” their unsavory positions. There are few, if any, Republicans who want to run on a platform of violent hostility to a $15 minimum wage, or any of the “working family” benefits that made it into the various drafts of the BBB legislation.
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