Good to see: By moving on reconciliation, Dems show they're learning. They're wise to McConnell's scam, in which he used filibuster to *withhold* cooperation. Going big on spending now could boost faith in govt and undercut Trumpist populism. My latest: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/02/05/biden-relief-package-republicans-challenge/

Here's how Mitch's scam works:

He claims the filibuster facilitates bipartisanship. But the truth is the opposite: He uses it to *withhold* bipartisan cooperation, for cynical purposes.

Reconciliation makes bipartisanship *more* likely, as I argue here:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/02/05/biden-relief-package-republicans-challenge/

If Dems go big on spending now to address deep injustices revealed by the pandemic, it could revitalize faith in government and clear political space for sanity on immigration and climate.

That's my answer to Trumpist populism:

(citing @nytdavidbrooks)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/02/05/biden-relief-package-republicans-challenge/

Of course, a lot can go wrong. I think @brianbeutler gets it right here: Dems are learning not to get gamed by GOP bad faith, but divisions among themselves, driven by centrist brainlock, could badly imperil their ability to follow through: https://mailchi.mp/crooked.com/big-tent-17052?e=4b66a7e85f