Originally Posted by cmeow

I agree with this assessment. The government now for any bill to pass must have the approval of the other party. Depending on what happens in 2020 election, 2021 will be the first chance that this changes.

Frankly, this is how it should always be as the bills with the most bipartisan support have a better chance at it lasting. Each party must look at how much they're willing to give.

For me, I see it like this:
If democrats accept anything temporary for dreamers in exchange for any republican priorities (especially the wall), it will look extremely weak. DACA protections is still in place and the bill released by the senate today actually makes DACA more restrictive. Therefore, the democrats (perhaps not even by choice) will seek something permanent. Frankly, this is true for any other issue as well. If you trade something you already have for something that's worse and your friends laugh at you, you shouldn't be surprised.

Could have dems pushed for the bill with their majority and lose political capitcal? Sure.

The other is to not look like an absolute fool, in front of democrats AND republicans. You can say democrats are fighting for dreamers to save face if you want but the result remains that democrats are fighting for it.

What motivates democrats certainly have changed in 2008 vs now for the dreamers. But the outcome (which is what dreamers care about) hasn't changed. Do you care if democrats legalized dreamers by gaining super majority and doing the "right" thing or if they legalized dreamers so they don't look stupid in front of their constituents and republicans? There are multiple ways to motivate democrats to fight for dreamers, you don't always have to depend on democrats doing the "right" thing.

Edit: Personally, I think it's the fact that they don't want to look like fools in front of the American people and being the laughing stock of the republican party. That is the motivation for democrats to fight for permanent relief. They are not as motivated as by "doing the right thing" as they did in 2008.