Biden's Infrastructure Blues: The Republican Resistance and Democratic Compromise

Recent developments in the ongoing infrastructure debate highlight the challenges facing the Biden administration as it seeks to forge a cohesive deal with Republican lawmakers. The primary stumbling block remains the lack of bipartisan support, a fact that has to be recognized for any meaningful progress to be made. As the White House is currently two votes short of breaking the filibuster, the path ahead is fraught with difficulties.

The Republican Party’s Baggage

The GOP has a history of leveraging negotiations to their advantage, playing a long game of bad faith that neither Democrats nor the Biden administration seem willing to break. Much like the "negotiations" over the Affordable Care Act during the Obama administration, the current infrastructure talks have been characterized by a failure to conclude meaningful agreements. The Republicans have mastered the art of stonewalling and
accusing Democrats of not being truly bipartisan.

McConnell's Stance on Infrastructure

Spokesman Mario Caputo reported that Senator Mitch McConnell might be open to new talks, which could inject some new life into the conversation. However, this shift from a hardline stance is likely more tactical than strategic. McConnell has never been opposed to a comprehensive infrastructure bill; in fact, Trump had proposed such a bill before, which was declined by the Democrats.

For the Biden administration to succeed, the proposed infrastructure bill must be clean and focused on infrastructure alone. Anything that looks like a leftist agenda or incorporates Green New Deal initiatives will likely be met with resistance from Republicans. This is a stark reminder of the Obama administration's approach to bipartisan negotiations, where calculations and grandstanding often took precedence over practical policy solutions.

Imagining a Compromise

The scenario of new talks opening up could be a positive development, but it remains to be seen how this will play out. The White House might be giving the Republicans one more chance, but what happens after that? The Democratic messaging surrounding this could be both an advantage and a disadvantage. If they talk enough progressive jargon and fail to secure Republican support, they could be setting themselves up for criticism from their own base. The Biden administration must find a way to balance progressive aspirations with practical policy-making.

Moreover, the messaging from various Cabinet members constitutes a concerted effort to maintain the appearance of unity and dialogue. However, these efforts might be met with skepticism both internally and externally. The squadsters, for example, might challenge the administration's stance, questioning whether Biden “tried” hard enough or whether the push for progressive policies is worth the political cost.

Revisiting the Past

Reflecting on the past, particularly the transition period from John Kerry's remarks to Joe Biden's election, the discourse around the Democratic Party's approach to infrastructure has been a contentious one. The 27 Democratic candidates' criticism of Biden as a "senile racist" and "quasi-Republican" was intense, yet Biden's response in the form of a "little girl" t-shirt reflects a vulnerable side. This incident is emblematic of the sentiment-driven politics that have characterized much of the debate.

The Role of McConnell

Mitch McConnell's influence should not be underestimated. While he is often criticized for his stance, his willingness to re-evaluate (if only for political reasons) could be a crucial factor in any eventual deal. McConnell has historically been a thorn in the side of Democratic initiatives, but his recent openness to discussion might signal a more flexible approach. However, the effectiveness of such a shift remains to be seen, with much hinges on whether this flexibility will translate into actual policy support.

Conclusion

The current infrastructure debate is a complex dance of political strategy and pragmatic compromise. For the Biden administration to achieve meaningful progress, they must navigate the difficult terrain of bipartisanship, addressing the entrenched resistance on the Republican side. Whether they can do so will likely determine the success or failure of their infrastructure agenda.