To understand why Democrats feel pressure to energize their base and not compromise to avoid a shut down, consider how weak their support is among Dem voters. A recent Gallup poll found only 73% of Dems have a favorable view of their party, vs 21% unfavorable. news.gallup.com/poll/692978/...

By contrast, around this time in the previous cycle, Sept. 2023, 93% of Dems had a favorable view of their party vs 7% unfavorable. news.gallup.com/poll/511979/...