The “No Kings” weekend, marked by a blend of eccentricity and activism, has concluded, leaving many amused by videos circulating online. These clips feature both aging baby boomers and Gen Z individuals passionately decrying “tyranny.” Ironically, in a true tyranny, such outspokenness would likely be stifled, as history shows that genuine tyrants are not known for endorsing free speech.

The expectations of intellectual consistency from these protestors might be low, yet their fervor has sparked concern among some Democratic Senators. Rather than fearing the Republican opposition or the moderates, these Senators are anxious about appeasing their own far-left supporters as they navigate the ongoing Schumer Shutdown.

The situation offers a dose of schadenfreude for observers. By aligning themselves with the more radical elements within their party, Democrats now face the repercussions of that choice. These consequences could potentially lead to significant electoral setbacks.

Should these Democrats falter, who might step in to fill their roles? Those in precarious positions, possibly at risk of losing their seats due to perceived lack of zeal against former President Trump, could see their places taken by either far-left successors or Republicans. This shift depends largely on whether the voters in those areas remain moderate. As the adage, often linked to H.L. Mencken, suggests: “Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.”

In that context, Democrats know they will get hit hard by a number of voices on the left if they do not get something for opening the government.

“People are going to get hammered” if they vote for the House-passed bill to reopen the government and keep it funded through Nov. 21, said one Democratic senator who requested anonymity to talk candidly about their party.

The schadenfreude, it is strong in this. When you dine at the Devil’s table, you don’t get to choose the menu, and Democrats have, as a party, embraced the nutcase left – now they face the consequences. Those consequences may well include electoral oblivion.

A second person familiar with the political dynamics within the Senate Democratic caucus, who spoke with The Hill ahead of the “No Kings” protests, said centrist senators are fearful of breaking with leaders while party activists are planning the anti-Trump rallies.

“We would have enough votes” to reopen the government “if people were not terrified of getting the guillotine,” the second person said.

And who would replace them? Any of these people in House and Senate who are in such a shaky position to be worried about being ousted from their phony-baloney jobs because they showed insufficient zeal in opposing Bad Orange Man will almost certainly be replaced by a creature of the loony left – or possibly by a Republican, if the electorate of the jurisdiction in question still holds a plurality of people who are not, you know, nuts. But we should remember the apocryphal caution often attributed to H.L. Mencken: “Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people”