Democrats irrational opposition to a border barrier puts them in a political bind

Politico:
Democrats say they’re no longer willing to throw cash to President Donald Trump for his border demands.

But they still can’t escape making a deal with Trump — a scenario that could divide the caucus over exactly how far to take their fight against the president.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) are preparing to rebuff Trump’s requests for additional wall money this month as payback for Trump’s summer of hard-line immigration moves — a position that’s in contrast to the billions of dollars that Democrats have handed over for border fencing and security since the start of Trump’s term, according to half a dozen lawmakers and aides.

The end result of the border wall fight, however, could be another deal with Trump that triggers a fierce backlash within the Democratic Caucus, as Pelosi and her leadership team remain wary of aggressive tactics that would catapult the government into yet another shutdown.

And the border battle is just one of many divisive issues Pelosi and her deputies will confront this month, including action on guns after a spate of mass shootings and fallout from the impeachment push that gained significant traction within the caucus over the break.

“The reality is, this fall is a critical period,” Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) said of the caucus’s lengthy to-do list, which could also include stalled legislation on health care and trade. “Spending an extended period of time with my constituents, it’s pretty obvious they just want us to get this stuff done.”

Democratic leaders are weighing their options to block any more cash for the wall, wary of intensifying an ugly clash over the border wall and immigration that could shape the 2020 race.
...
The Democrats are on the wrong side of the voters on immigration and border security.  They have yet to articulate a defense of their position that is persuasive to a majority of voters.  I find their current position illogical.

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