"Bad politics for them": GOP sneers at Dem COVID bill

Instead, Republicans are comfortable foisting blame on Biden for shutting them out of the legislative process and hammering Democrats over the slow pace of school reopenings across the country — an issue they think will become a potent political weapon, particularly in key suburban battlegrounds. If there’s any risk of political blowback for lining up against Covid aid that polls well with the public, most Republicans aren’t seeing it…

“As more people find out what’s in this bill — and what’s not in this bill — they get more furious,” said Scalise, referring to things like a $15 hourly minimum wage, billions of dollars for pension funds and money for public transit and art. “Sunshine is the best disinfectant for liberal policies.”…

“What’s in it is not going to be popular,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). “It’s bad politics for them. Because the narrative is that they’re liberal, they just spend money like there’s no tomorrow, that every time there’s a crisis they load it up with spending.”

Democrats are agog that Republicans don’t see the downside in opposing a bill that polls better than most politicians do. Moreover, the GOP just lost two Senate seats in Georgia to a unified Democratic campaign in favor of big stimulus checks — and a big pandemic rescue plan.