ROOKE: Democrats Went All In On Massive Political Gamble That Even CNN’s Jake Tapper Seems To Think They Are Losing

All but three Democratic senators voted against 13 measures to reopen the federal government in a political game that appears to be failing with American voters and, incredibly, with some at CNN.

Democrats are holding the government hostage unless Republicans include Biden-era grants from the Affordable Care Act in the Continuing Resolution (CR) funding bill. Early in this cycle, it looked like Democrats had the momentum to submit their plan to intimidate Republicans. However, some at CNN, which is generally a friendly place for Democrats to peddle their propaganda, have begun to object to the party’s narrative that Republicans are the bad guys in the government shutdown battle.

New Mexico Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury appeared on CNN on Tuesday, likely expecting an easy media appearance where she could blame Republicans for the shutdown and the fact that more than 40 million Americans are at risk of losing government assistance like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). But, surprisingly, CNN host Jake Tapper took issue with Stansbury’s claims.

“Should Democratic senators from New Mexico, your home state, vote to open government so these SNAP funds are not at risk? » asked Tapper.

“Let me be clear. The administration is choosing to starve America’s children with money they have already appropriated,” Stansbury said. “It’s a choice of the White House.”

“Madam Congresswoman, it is also a choice of Senate Democrats not to vote to open the government,” he said.

“No, it’s not!” Stansbury responded while Tapper was still speaking.

“Yes it is!” Tapper replied.

Even CNN no longer believes the Democrats’ lies about the shutdown.

JAKE TAPPER: “It’s… a choice of Senate Democrats not to vote to open the government. »

MELANIE STANSBURY: “No, it’s not.”

TAPPER: “Yes, that’s true.” pic.twitter.com/b6BoHxA1wb

– Republican (@GOP) October 29, 2025

The two fought for the full interview. (Subscribe to Mary Rooke’s weekly newsletter here!)

It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which CNN decides to tell Democrats the truth. However, this sudden turn is likely linked to the new AP-NORC poll which shows that while the entire media class supports the Democrats’ shutdown narrative, Republicans are winning over voters.

CNN senior reporter Harry Enten analyzed the AP-NORC poll released Tuesday, highlighting the grim reality for Democrats as the government shutdown drags on. The poll shows the Republican Party overall increased by 2 points, which is within the margin of error, as Enten pointed out, but did not decline due to the shutdown. What’s even more interesting is that congressional Republicans’ approval ratings have increased 12 points since pre-shutdown polls.

“So what we’re seeing here is that the Republican brand in Congress has actually improved somewhat compared to where we were before the shutdown, despite the fact that Republicans were in control,” Enten said.

Worse still for Democrats is the situation for Republicans among coveted independent voters, who have increased their support for Republican congressmen by 8 points since the shutdown.

“So we have a situation here where the Republicans, with the shutdown, are really mobilizing their base, but it’s also something that’s not hurting them with the people in the middle,” Enten said, adding, “If anything, we’re seeing that the Republican brand has actually improved among independents.”

#BREAKING: Republican polling improved during Democratic government shutdown

CNN: “The Republican brand in Congress has really improved” incl. with Independents 📈

And a wake-up call for Democrats: “The worst position Democrats have been in…in the last 20 years” 🚩 pic.twitter.com/g0hWYhsChM

– Ben Petersen (@bennpetersen) October 28, 2025

At the same time, Enten pointed out that Democratic poll numbers haven’t been this bad in 20 years. According to overall polls, Democrats were up 11 points at the same point in 2017 during Trump’s first term. However, Congressional Democrats are now up only 2 points. (ROOKE: Democrats’ grip on bargaining power loosens significantly as end of Schumer shutdown nears)

The plan was to bring left-wing pork into the Republican-passed CR by making Americans believe that Democrats had no control over the shutdown. However, this political risk appears to be fading as voters continue to support the Republicans despite the public relations blitz. If you’re a Senate Democrat in a purple district, you’re looking at these poll numbers and wondering how much longer you can survive the declining poll numbers before voters jump ship next November.

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