2WAY Tonight with Mark Halperin 2WAY TONIGHT | Mark Halperin on Trump’s Second Term, the Democrats and the Latest Political News
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Oct 1, 2025 Mark Halperin hosts a dynamic discussion with Steve Elmendorf, a veteran Democratic strategist; Mark Bednar, a former House staffer for senior Republicans; and Rachel Bade, a Congressional reporter. They dive into the looming government shutdown, dissecting its timing and political ramifications. The panel critiques Republican healthcare framing and analyzes Schumer's Senate strategy. They also debate the impact of an AI video shared by Trump and discuss Tucker Carlson's ongoing influence within the MAGA movement, illustrating the complexities of current political dynamics.
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Shutdown Pressure Rises Fast
- Shutdown pain usually accelerates quickly once services and pay are disrupted.
- Steve Elmendorf predicts pressure will force a resolution within days or weeks, not months.
Different Parties Face Different Risks
- Republicans and Democrats face different vulnerabilities during a shutdown.
- Rachel Bade notes Republicans worry about mixed messaging while Democrats will face pressure as constituent services break down.
Separate Policy Fixes From CR Talks
- Keep separate technical policy fixes from emergency funding negotiations.
- John Thune's stance: don't hold government funding hostage to policy changes like ACA credits.