Donald Trump is the world's best deal maker, even if he has to say so himself. I haven't read his book, but based on the man's public personality I would guess a good deal would be one where he benefited greatly and the other guy barely got out of there with his life, if not the shirt on his back.
Trump has criticized deals made by the Obama administration (and others), especially the Iran nuclear deal. He's convinced we should've gotten more out of this one. I don't think he recognizes taking Iran off the path to nuclear weapons (at least temporarily) is a benefit to anyone, let alone to the US.
Currently, the deal in question is about immigration and government funding.
Trump wants to severely limit immigration, at the same time throw a lot of money at the military. And the infrastructure. The Democrats want to protect DACA immigrants from Trump's executive order ending the Obama program.
Trump suggests that if the Democrats don't accede to his wishes it means they hate the military and don't really want to help DACA folks.
It must make sense to the President. He'll give you want you want, but only if you agree to whatever it is he wants. Since a decision can have nothing to do with his demands, your failure to give in can only mean you don't really want what you say you want.
This, of course, is the sort of rhetoric you'd expect from a bully like Trump.
(Another version of this logic involves the guy saying, "Why are you hitting yourself?")
Trump also wants funding for his border wall, though it's hard to seen why he's pestering Congress for that. Shouldn't he just go directly to Mexico?
Anyway, he says the wall is the only thing that can stop murderers from getting into the country and plying their trade on Americans. That's not exactly true. This country has several long coastlines and an unguarded border with Canada. Until we build the Dome, this country is pretty much wide open, Wall or no Wall.
But the way he sees it, anyone not willing to pony up billions for the Wall has got to favor the murder of Americans. The logic is inescapable. Effing Democrats!
Trump's message to those who would threaten a government shutdown: Bring it!
The man says he would love a shutdown, if that's what it takes to get what he wants. And if you don't get everything you want, how can it be a deal worth making?
Maybe it's time for the majority of Republicans and Democrats to pass a funding bill the President doesn't have to like. Acting together, they have the numbers to override his veto.
In fact, maybe it's time to take Trump out of the equation altogether, at least until Robert Mueller can work his magic.
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