Democrats’ shutdown struggle
Democrats’ shutdown struggle  
Podcast: The Playbook Podcast
Published On: Fri Oct 03 2025
Description: It’s day three of the federal shutdown, and the Democrats are struggling to come up with a coherent and unifying message. Meanwhile, Republicans are encountering a shutdown-inspired divide of their own — this one centering on the role of OMB Director Russ Vought, and the political popularity (or lack thereof) of some of his undertakings. Playbook’s Adam Wren and POLITICO White House reporter Megan Messerly discuss the state of play as the shutdown shows no signs of abating.