Over one month into government shutdown and no end in sight – but predictions run rampant

By Fox News · Fox News

It is said that everyone’s a critic. But when it comes to the government shutdown, everyone’s an oracle. Especially when trying to determine when it might end. "[Democrats] are waiting to elect [Zohran] Mamdani, the communist, soon-to-be mayor of New York . And then I believe things will go back into business as normal," said Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., on FOX Business. "If we don't reopen this week, then I believe it'll happen at some time shortly before Thanksgiving." GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN KNOWLEDGE: GAMING OUT ITS POTENTIAL END Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., also offered her own prediction. "I believe that this week could be the week," said Capito on FOX Business. But Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, wasn’t so sure. "I don't know what the predictions are based on," said Cornyn on Fox. "We keep looking for some rational behavior on the part of the Democrats who shut down the government. But it was a dumb idea to start with. And it hasn't gotten any better since." Everyone is now searching for a flicker of hope. A glimmer of reason as to why the government shutdown won’t deepen. But all this week represents is another opportunity. There have been multiple inflection points along the way, but nothing has quite yielded the same opportunity to end the shutdown as this week. Yes, emergency food aid for the nation’s neediest expired on Saturday. Air traffic is growing worse by the hour. Healthcare premiums formally spiked on Saturday – which is why Democrats balked at funding the government in the first place. But none of those developments have truly forced the sides back to the negotiating table. That’s why some have settled on Tuesday’s elections as a potential turning point. SHUTDOWN SEEN FROM THE PULPIT: INCHING ALONG ON A WING AND A PRAYER Mamdani is the odds-on favorite to become the next mayor of New York City. Republicans are now projecting that the election is why the Democrats haven’t folded on government funding. They believe that certain election results – a win…