Other views: Who’s to blame for the federal shutdown?

Thomas Hicks Jr., The Hill:

“Never before in American history has a major political party put the interests of lawbreaking foreign nationals ahead of the interests of law-abiding Americans. Yet that is exactly what the Democrats have done in holding the government hostage to extract special favors for illegal immigrants. ... They call Americans ‘deplorables’ and illegal immigrants ‘dreamers.’ That tells you everything you need to know about the Democrats’ upside-down worldview.”

Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post:

“Democrats and Republicans ... seem to becoming around to the same conclusion: President Trump is a nightmare and largely responsible for the shutdown. ... ‘President Trump just can’t take yes for an answer,’ (said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer). Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has also been frustrated: ‘I’m looking for something that President Trump supports. ... As soon as we figure out what he is for, then I would be convinced that we were not just spin- ning our wheels.’ ... When you need both parties to reach agreement and the president has no bottom line, you have a complete breakdown.”

Stan Collender, Qorvis MSL executive vice president:

“The financial markets could also have a say if the continued dysfunction in Washington results in heightened uncertainty as well as higher than expected interest rates and lower than expected stock prices. But this type of potential attitude change is at least weeks away. If the shutdown ends before then, it is very likely to be viewed as a successful tactic that should be repeated instead of avoided.”

James S. Robbins, USA TODAY Board of Contributors:

“Whoever ultimately gets blamed, the larger issue is the ‘budgeting by crisis’ that has become the norm. (A shutdown) might help our elected officials focus on fixing the broken system before voters decide that they are non-essential and tell them to stay home.”