Look, I think the Democrats' strategy of standing down was good and well during the month of October, when things didn't get out of hand with SNAP. You know, people received their benefits on time, and nobody was suffering and struggling, wondering how they were going to put food on their tables, but when November 1st hit, that's when things in the Dems' strategy took a turn.
Federal workers took the hit, but for most of them, income-wise, they should've been able to manage for the time being. What had happened to make the Dems come to this conclusion is that they didn't foresee Trump and the Republicans weaponizing SNAP as political leverage, basically letting millions of Americans go hungry, sitting anxiously in despair, wondering whether they'll be able to feed themselves and/or their families.
Democrats did not think the Trump administration and Republicans would take it that far, considering in past shutdowns, presidents, whether they be Democrat or Republican, have always funded SNAP in the midst of a shutdown to ensure the American people can still eat and put food on the table. Since he did the unthinkable and allowed benefits to be delayed for the first time in history, that somewhat screwed the Dems' long-term plans of standing pat for the ACA credits.
A lot of you may feel they should've stood still for as long as Trump stood still, but the truth is that's a bit delusional and tone deaf, as there's no way to justify letting millions of people go hungry, even in the name of healthcare credits, affordable rates, etc. I feel like some of the base is soo caught in trying to one-up Trump and his supporters, specifically just for the sake of Red vs Blue, that they're somewhat oblivious to the harm they're also contributing to the situation.
The Dems held on for as long as they could but clearly realized that letting this go on is just making matters worse for those already suffering and going hungry, even if Trump and 'em still don't pass the subsidies at the end of January, Democrats could still create new healthcare stipulations once they regain some power in Washington, whether that's through the midterms and/or the '28 presidency. In the meantime, by ending the shutdown, SNAP recipients will no longer have to squirm at the thought of not having food to eat, and Trump can't use their hunger for his advantage anymore.