Joe Biden is naïve for saying that Republicans are the opposition, not the enemy, says Paul Krugman. Mitch McConnell will just play him for a sap, and nothing will get done. Is Krugman right?
The argument sounds plausible, but he’s wrong. Here are the possible outcomes after a Democratic victory in 2020:
- Using the filibuster, the GOP successfully obstructs the progressive agenda, other than tax reform. The new president cleans up the federal government and removes the stain of Trumpism, but does little else.
- Some bipartisan legislation turns out to be possible.
- The “revolution” prevails. The filibuster is swept aside, and the Supreme Court is packed.
The bottom line is that Biden has no interest in the “revolution,” and he and his supporters would be OK with the first two options, which are actually the most plausible outcomes. It is the proponents of the “revolution” who have no idea how to bring it about who are being naïve here.