Michael Tanner
If anyone ever believed that the stalemate over the continuing resolution and government shutdown was going to end with the repeal or complete defunding of Obamacare, they seriously misunderstood how Washington works.

However, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t worthwhile to put it on the table as an opening bid. Any smart negotiator starts by asking for far more than he expects to get in the end.

Now, however, Republicans risk both overplaying and underplaying their hand. The overplay part is easy: By allowing this media cycle to be about the pain caused by a government shutdown and interparty divisions, Republicans have obscured Obamacare’s disastrous rollout.

But Republicans could also underplay their hand. The polls show Republicans in a stronger position than one might think. Although voters blame Republicans more than Democrats, the gap is far smaller than it was in previous shutdowns — single digits in most polls — and Democratic unfavorables are very high as well. In fact, more than half of voters also disapprove of the president’s handling of the shutdown.

That means Republicans should not simply give in and approve a so-called clean CR. Public pressure will force Democrats to negotiate, even as they insist they won’t negotiate. When they do, Republicans should understand that half a loaf is better than none.