Privately, many Senate Democrats conceded that their leader was doing his job by protecting his members from a tough vote and making a politically painful decision. But the backlash from his party was intense.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer’s calculated call to avoid a disruptive government shutdown alienates a political base enraged by President Donald Trump’s policies and frustrated at party elders’ cautious response.

In failing to demonstrate what they stand for, Democrats fumbled the chance to show why they deserve a return to power, centrists and progressives say.