I don’t agree with a number of the points TPM Reader RS makes. But I think he hits on a key point on the mismatch between the expectations of at least engaged Democratic partisans and what they’ve seen since the midterm elections. The degree to which congressional Democrats really have it within their power to do more is another question. But the mismatch of expectations and reality is real and a pretty big issue …
We should devote more attention to the mismatch between expectations by those who voted for Democratic House candidates in 2018 and the slow walking approach of House Democrats since January. We think too much about how Trump feeds his base, and not enough on how his blocking of Congressional investigations has a side benefit for Republicans: demonstrating to Democratic voters that they are wasting their time turning out because his side is just plain stronger and tougher.