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The government shutdown is more than two weeks old, and an MLB star turned congressional candidate is pointing the finger at Democrats on Capitol Hill.
Mark Teixeira, who launched his campaign for Texas’ 21st congressional district in August, said the “madness we’ve seen on the left” has set “a terrible precedent” as the government shutdown continues.
The former Texas Ranger, Atlanta Brave and New York Yankee said Democrats are not doing “their job” and should be willing to negotiate.
“Elections have consequences. The losing side of an election knows they’re not going to get everything they want every time a bill passes or a budget passes. So you have to accept that you might not get your way,” Teixeira told Will Cain on Wednesday.
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Texas Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira against the Chicago Cubs at Hohokam Park in Mesa, Arizona. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)
“The Democrats are saying, ‘No, we’re not going to accept that. We’re just going to shut down the government and we’re going to make Americans, we’re going to make the military pay for complaining that we’re not getting our way.’
Mark Teixeira #25 of the National League looks on during pregame ceremonies prior to the 2024 All-Star Futures Game at Globe Life Field on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (Sam Hodde/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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Cain showed a Reuters/Ipsos poll showing 67% of voters blame Republicans for the shutdown, with 63% also blaming Democrats and 63% blaming President Donald Trump. But Teixeira said he doesn’t “trust the polls,” adding that there is still “Trump derangement syndrome” among those who blame conservatives.
“As long as there are Democrats and there are people out there saying everything the Republicans are doing is bad, even if it’s fair. It’s fair. Hey listen, you want to negotiate on some things? Okay, give us a couple of weeks. We’ll negotiate. But don’t shut down the government and hold the American worker, the American military personnel, who’s been taken hostage,” Teeira said, because you’ve taken this point.
“I understand that not much gets passed when you don’t have big majorities and we have to work across the aisle every now and then. But we’re not going to negotiate with terrorists. We’re not going to negotiate with a party that says, ‘if we don’t get our way, if we don’t change the rules, I’m going to shut down the government.’ It’s not fair to the American people, it’s not fair to all the Republicans who are trying to do this the right way and (says) “Just give us a few more weeks to negotiate.”
Mark Teixeira plays for the Texas Rangers. (Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports)
“I just believe the Democrats are unreasonable.”
In an X post earlier this month, Teixeira said, “Democrats are destroying our country and President Trump needs reinforcements who will fight to take our country back.”
