Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Credit: AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Shortly following the end of a nearly three-day government shutdown the White House was quick to take a victory lap, patting itself on the back and once again blaming Democrats for the stalemate. “They blinked,” White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah told CNN. , “I think the fact they are voting in favor of this proposal that they rejected a few days ago is sort of evidence that they blinked,” he explained. “We were pleased to see Sen.