WASHINGTON, 03 October 2021, (TON): Democrats entered a second day of likely marathon negotiations on Friday to resolve splits over the scope of President Joe Biden’s domestic spending plans, knowing that failure could be crippling for the party.

On Thursday, a game of political chicken between moderate Democrats and more leftwing members over two disputed spending bills ended in stalemate.

The result was disappointing for Biden, who says the two bills would restore America’s battered middle class through massive spending on education and childcare, while also splurging on badly needed repairs to the nation’s infrastructure, and promoting clean energy.

In political terms, Biden’s legacy is at stake and so probably are the Democrats’ chances of keeping control of Congress in midterm elections next year.

Republicans, not least the man Biden defeated yet who continues to lie that he was cheated, Donald Trump, are watching the Democratic infighting with undisguised glee.

Democrats control not just the White House but both houses of Congress, so on paper they have a rare chance to enact their priorities.

However, their majorities are so thin that even one opponent in the Senate or a handful in the House can derail any initiative.

The battle over the $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan and the bigger social spending bill feature dissenters in both chambers and for now neither is set to pass.