There’s a lot of confusion over defunding Obamacare and shutting down the government. I think Karl Rove, on the DON’T DO IT side, and Bill Wilson on the STAND FIRM side both misunderstand the mechanics of shutdowns and defunding.

The background: On Sept. 30, the fiscal year ends, and so funding for government runs out, absent new appropriations bills. The planned vehicle for funding fiscal year 2014 is a “continuing resolution” — basically continuing the current year’s spending levels, and thus punting any budget fights.