The Trump Presidency as enabled by the Russo-Republican Party can be summed by Trump’s verbal crutch:
“Who knows, we’ll see.”
Here’s a couple of question to the MAGA crowd:
• Isn’t Mexico supposed to pay for the wall?
• Not that Trump obviously lied and might start using your taxes to pay for that wall, why are you still supporting him?
2
Is it just inconceivable that legislators pass a bill and send it to the president without a guarantee that he will sign it? Is this really what the Founders had in mind for a supposedly co-equal branch of government? Mitch McConnell does not seem to believe that behaving like the spineless lackey of an indecisive nincompoop does not make him look foolish.
1
Gee, Mr. Trump,you shot your loud mouth off again in a childish snit and put your foot in your mouth for the umpteenth time. 70 going on seven in a room with two adults and a statue.
1
In her press conference sanders claimed other funds could be used to fund the $5b trump is asking for w/o using taxpayer money. Where does this cushion of money come from if not from taxpayers? I support protecting our borders, but there is a difference between illegal immigrants and refugees. We need more judges at the border not a wall which would only be a monument to this awful man who occupies our WH.
3
Bullies like to throw their weight around to show who is boss and that is just what this one does on a daily basis. What is wrong with him...to say he'd be "proud" to shut down the government and then dash off to Florida to play golf. He'll have his lavish Christmas while some hard working Americans won't be paid. He's an overgrown child playing at a job he will never understand. He deserves coal in his stocking.
18
Here is a new idea for border security. Let’s get rid of all walls and border patrol personnel.
Instead, the Democrats can set up welcome tents along the border where illegal aliens can register to become voters in 20 years, once a new amnesty is passed.
And the Profit-First Republicans can set up booths, sponsored by the Koch Brothers, where illegal aliens can sign up for jobs where they’ll receive low wages and no job protections, while being exposed to extortion from employers. Representatives from the construction, agriculture, and hospitality industries will be on hand, as will rich people who need their low wage nannies and gardeners.
Let’s just be honest.
This is why Democrats and Profit-First Republicans don’t want any border security that actually prevents people from crossing. Illegal aliens and asylum scammers are the low wage workers of today and the future voters of tomorrow.
1
@John
It's because of fantasies like this that we STILL don't have any serious strengthening of the border wall.
In real life, the only president who has been able to at least get bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform (including e-verify for all employers and an additional 40,000 border patrol agents) through at least one house in DC, is Obama.
His 2013 got 68 votes in the Senate. Why was it never signed into law? Because the GOP blocked it in the House - they actually didn't even allow a vote on it.
And now that the GOP controls both Congress and the White House, it has been even worse: not ONE single bill signed into law or put up for a vote, not in the House, and not in the Senate.
All that is needed to finally DO something about illegal immigration and strengthen the southern border is to get a Democratic president and Congress, so that the bipartisan bill can finally be signed into law.
Why is the GOP refusing to take this issue seriously?
Because it allows them to talk about it election after election, and to make people like you believe that the Democrats would be the ones who are blocking this, and THAT is how they fire up their not-fact-checking base, certainly not by stopping to talk about border security and actually passing a bill ...
2
If Trump and his wealthier supporters actually believed that the wall would stop "illegal brown immigrants" (they are all okay with White and Asian illegal immigrants), they why don't they each chip in a Billion dollars to build his wall?
If you include Trump, who claims to have multiple billions of dollars, then the following list, of Trump supporters, is a pool of $25 Billion dollars they could spend toward the wall and show their dedication to a Whiter America.
Sheldon Adelson
John Paulson
Andrew Beal
Wilbur Ross
Darwin Deason
Stanley Hubbard
T. Boone Pickens
Robert Mercer
Steven Mnuchin
Stephen Feinberg
Woody Johnson
Tom Barrack
Carl Icahn
Peter Thiel
Betsy De Vos
Erik Prince
Stephen Schwarzman
steven roth
richard leFrak
Linda McMahon
Todd Ricketts
Koch Brothers (all 4)
how about rich white people? do you really support Trump? prove it by shelling out a Billion each for his Wall.
3
Mitch McConnell is a conniving power hungry nasty who covers Trump’s missteps and criminal deeds when he should be serving our country instead of his
Republicanism.
3
DJT sez, “We will build the most beautiful wall you have never seen! It will be invisible, and stretch from sea to shining sea. The Trump Foundation will distribute funding. Ivanka will manage construction.”
4
By the comment "Republican leaders said they were still unsure what the president was willing to sign." Republicans have shown they don't care about our country only partisan politics. What ever happened to the house & senate work together to create a bill acceptable to both - send it to the president and if vetoed, the Senate can override the Veto. This is what should be done with this spending bill - actually show DJT how our democracy works, especially since his big brain didn't retain any civics lessons.
2
The debate over the wall and all of the rhetoric concerning immigration between democrats and republicans seem to leave out common sense solutions that would save billions of tax dollars. E-Verify is already used by responsible employers.
What seems to be missed in the debate are the many U.S. employers willing to hire undocumented persons once they make it across the border gauntlet.
This gauntlet also ensures that undocumented persons will be exploited into low wage harsh working conditions as they are forced into the shadows of US society.
@h20bound
If people in this country would just start READING summaries of the bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill that the Senate passed under Obama, they would NEVER have fallen for a fake president's rhetoric.
Many Democrats have proposed and pushed for e-verify for years already.
Obama's 2013 comprehensive immigration reform bill, which passed with a whopping 68 votes in the Senate, actively includes e-verify for all employers.
Guess WHO blocked that bill from being signed into law?
The GOP.
At the time, "we the people" had given them the House, and the Republican House didn't even allow a vote on the bill.
And of course, although it would have easily passed under Trump too, now that it had been written and already passed in the Senate, Paul Ryan never allowed the House to vote on it.
The ONLY reason why the many common sense solutions (including 40,000 more border patrol agents) year after year are NOT being implemented is because the party that constantly talks about immigrants as criminals and the need for tough border security REFUSES to stop talking and take action.
The only ones who have ever been serious about getting this done were the Democrats.
Pelosi is an outstanding negotiator, so she might get that bill through the House next year. But will McConnell and Trump allow a vote and sign it? That's highly unlikely. They prefer talking about it, because that's how they can fire up the GOP base ...
1
"“We are disappointed in the fact that they have yet to vote on something or pass something,” Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, told reporters."."
We the people are also disappointed that Trump still insists on running the country like his "charitable" foundation-an open checkbook with no oversight.
Trump might learn that is adolescent remarks on twitter that insult his opponents will achieve nothing when the Republicans are no longer in charge of the bank account. Trump might learn about shifting appropriated funds is illegal.
But, if Trump was to forgo some of his golf trips he takes on the taxpayer's dime, there could be some savings there...
2
"$1 billion in unspent funds" So, if the Government has not needed nor used this $1 billion, which was slated for other departments, shouldn't a fiscally responsible entity give the money back to its shareholders - the tax payers?
3
@mariamsaunders
republicans only want to give wealthy taxpayers money back, the rest of the population is supposed to gladly allow the rich to get richer.
2
@mariamsaunders
It's not because a president isn't staffing his branch of government enough (or with enough competent people) to get the job done that somehow that job doesn't need to be done anymore ...
2
This one article sentence says it all: "Republicans worked to create a package that would allow Mr. Trump to declare victory in retreat..."
Everything is being done to keep the strange man-baby happy, whether or not it is destructive to our democracy. This is one of the most bizarre periods in our nation's history. We deserve better...way better!
7
Why doesn't the "Great Negotiator" go private and ask his 36,000 (top 0.01%) fat cat plutocratic buddies to kick in $1,000 bucks each to get $35m for his "beautiful wall"?
Won't work since they already played the Potentate of Hate to get their tax breaks and could care less about his shiny object since live in guarded penthouses and gated communities.
6
Why doesn't Trump just tell his minions that the wall has been build with Mexico paying for it. They believe all his lies. Why wouldn't they believe this one? Then Trump could go on to his next MAGA accomplishment.
12
Again shut it down. As a government employee who will be affected I’m ready. I want climate change as the focus not this. All Beings Matter, not a select few.
7
One of the reasons why the GOP only got one major bill passed (one that broke its promise to cut the deficit, as Obama had done, and instead doubled it, only to break another promise and give people like Trump a big tax cut), is precisely because of Trump's "leadership" style, which basically consists of not leading at all.
Obama was known for "leading from behind". That referred to the fact that all while being deeply involved in the lawmaking process and policy details, he tended to intervene mainly through his staff and allow Congress to work on ways to come up with bills that would both contain all that he wanted, and what lawmakers could obtain for themselves through compromising among many different views/campaign promises.
And once that compromise was getting close, he intervened directly, calling people in Congress whose votes were crucial, and using the leverage of his office to get them accept the agreement.
Trump, however, does NOTHING at all. He tweets or speaks in merely bumper sticker lines, throws a few lies in, then flip-flops the day after, all while not even start reading bills, let alone getting interested in policy details.
The result is that he's unable to obtain ANYTHING from Congress. No wall, no new NAFTA or Iran deal, no Obamacare repeal and replace with something that would be better or, in his words, cover even more people at even lower costs. After supporting Ryancare, which does the opposite, the GOP understood that this was a fake president.
6
Using the premise that if Obama led from behind, then Trump is the behind that leads nowhere expect to his next cult of personality rally.
1
Trump has no plan B because he does not plan. He is running our country without planning. So when his limited emotions of anger, fear and rage take over, (most of the time) his actions are unpredictable. It seems just as likely that he will shut the government down in the last minutes Friday, just because that's where his head is at, at that moment. “We’ll see what happens,” is his way of saying that he does not want to think about it. Even Trump is waiting for an idea.
9
“If you’ve got that kind of cushion in your budget and you don’t need that money, use it to pay down the debt,”
Shouldn’t that be a Republican quote. No, it’s Democrat Jon Tester. It’s the Republicans who want to give Trump access to a slush fund. Republicans don’t care about the debt when they are in power.
Trump’s wink-wink “I might accept something else. We’ll see. Come court me” isn’t working anymore - even for Republicans. Everyone is tired of him and his childish games.
9
Of course they shrug it off. They've accepted what the media apparently never will. There's nothing there; we don't have a President, we have a very bad reality TV show actor sitting in the Oval Office. There is no plan, there's just reaction and crossed arms. There is no grand strategy behind his tweets and behavior; there's just the stomping of a toddler not getting his way.
He said he would run the government the way he ran his businesses, and that's exactly what he's done. And, with the help of his Congress, he's bankrupted the American Experiment.
19
Why do Democrats and Profit-First Republican love “smart” border security instead of physical border barriers?
Because “smart” border security sounds good, but doesn’t actually work.
The goal of asylum scammers is not to AVOID getting caught. The goal IS to get caught, because it’s the beginning of multi-year and typically permanent stay in the U.S.
“Smart” border technology essentially tells the border patrol that more guests have arrived. When the border patrol responds, the asylum scammers approach them and speak the three golden words, “I request asylum.” The border patrol now becomes a welcoming committee.
The only way to prevent this scam is to prevent them from even setting foot in the United States. Only a physical barrier can do this.
Of course, for Democrats this isn’t as much of a scam as it is a future voter registration drive. And for Profit-First Republicans, it’s like a low-wage hiring event.
3
@John I recommend that instead of taxpayer's paying billions for the medieval wall "solution" you endorse, we build a medieval moat. Better yet, let's just declare the Rio Grande is a moat, which already provides a "physical barrier" -- and is about as effective as a wall.
5
Hi Dan:
In theory, you are correct about the Rio Grande being a moat that negates the need for a wall.
Unfortunately, it’s not really much of a barrier. Heck, in western Pennsylvania we have creeks that are much more formidable than the Rio Grand during the dry months. That is why I had to laugh when Trump called it something like a “raging torrent” or similar exaggeration.
The good news is that much of the Rio Grande is far from any Mexican roads, so the border is pretty secure there for now. I would say that gives us at least 600 miles of low priority area for fencing.
And, hey, don’t knock castles and moats. They worked very effectively for thousands of years for many empires and city states.
My recommendation for paying for it would be to apply a 1% surcharge on financial transfers to Mexico and Central America. That should pay for the border barrier in about 10-15 years. But if that doesn’t work, then I would take a billion or two out of the bloated Dept. of Defense budget. They’ll never miss it.
1
Did they really work? And are you really endorsing a solution that worked for "castles" and medieval "city states?" There is a reason that the Middle Ages ended centuries ago, and was replaced by the scientific, engineering and artistic advances of the Renaissance and Enlightenment.
Take the extension ladder, for example, currently on sale at Home Depot for a couple of hundred dollars, and which can overcome a wall (or "barrier") that costs American taxpayers billions.
A 1% surcharge on financial transfers to Mexico and Central America would just drive the poverty, crime and desperation even higher, leading to even more economic refugees at the southern U.S. border. And Walmart and other U.S. companies that make a lot of profit handling such transfers, would never have it.
As to taking money out of the DOD budget, how about instead you and those who favor the wall start a Kickstarter campaign, where you can donate your own money? Because a majority of Americans don't want any of their taxpayer money going to this white elephant.
1
I don't understand this. Why does he need funding for the wall? I thought Mexico was paying for it. Isn't he the king of the deal makers? Or he is the biggest bag of hot air ever?
13
Trump is certainly someone schooled in the art of "different funding sources."
6
What a great way to start the day. This article had me laughing out loud. Go “Chuck “ and “Nancy”, I just love you two.
8
That little detail of congress working for the people has really escaped the man. I thought he was a billionaire? Certainly he can fund the wall himself? It's a nice diversion from his legal issues I will admit. He's not getting his money.
6
Since Trump changes his mind at a moments notice, how can anyone believe him and is he telling the truth or just plain telling a lie?
We don't need the wall, we need a real president.
10
there is no way that President Trump will force a shutdown. He knows that the optics of him playing golf for 16 days while thousands of families go without a paycheck are too much even for him.
7
From big, bold, fanciful declarations that “Mexico will pay for the wall” to now casting about for a prohibited taxpayer slush-fund to pay for it. This is entirely consistent with the Trump business model.
8
What a dilemma: Trump's bluff called by Dems, out of ideas and looking for something from Senate Republicans to save his Christmas golf game, but Senate Republicans knowing that anything they send him could be rejected depending on what side of the bed Hannity got up on...
5
Trump folds again.
6
Like the weak coward he is
Bad poker player
Reminds me of the kid who ran into the back of ny car tears ago
Stopped to tell me
‘You don’t understand I have a party to go to’ and
Took off
No party Donny
No walk
No nothing
Just jail For you
5
Trump cares about his self image and little else. He has poor impulse control and virtually no executive function. So you can’t count on him to keep promises which makes negotiation sort of futile. The Senate should create bills they can pass, same for the House and send it to Trump to sign or veto. Congress will have done its job and the consequences will be Trump’s to bear.
In short, Congress should just ignore Trump and get some work done the old fashioned way, negotiation and compromise if needed.
10
Quoting Ms. Sanders: “The president has asked every agency to look and see if they have money that could be used for that purpose,” Sure , let's take money away from the military, air traffic control so Trump can have his stupid wall. Excuse me his big beautiful wall...
12
So this is the Art of the Deal?
This is the master negotiator?
Let no one forget “I alone can fix it”
Disgraceful
16
Why are we even having this debate? Why is no one saying that DT promised that Mexico would pay for the wall. And say it every time he brings up that he wants money for his wall. All day. It's what he said. So, make him accountable.
23
He’s just another lying politician
And the Republitrumps want to put lipstick on this Pig?
He’s got a campaign war chest?
Who from Putin?
1
Where is this great deal-maker I’ve heard so much about? I thought we we were going to get the best deals - infrastructure, beautiful health care for everyone, trade and jobs! And here we are, the government about to shut down, and his own party doesn’t even no what he wants.
This is what happens when you have a president who does nothing but play golf.
16
Trump's base is anti-government and fully support a shutdown. Go to the right wing media outlets and take a look at the way it's being reported. The outcome of the shutdown, whether it is avoided or not, will be spun by Fox and the President, claiming someone is to blame, replete with a barrage of lies. This will be accepted by the base as well, with bells on. Right now, the President's aggregate polling numbers show a solid 42% of Americans support him. Destructive? Definitely. But in terms of appealing to the base, not entirely ineffective.
8
You need more than 42% to win an election
See nov 6 2018
And as for those non arriving Soc Sec checks....
2
@Adam Stoler
The challenge there is how the Electoral College votes are distributed.
Rural population states, mostly with R control, have an inordinate amount of power in the EC.
With technology available today, the EC is an archaic albatross and we need to take up an constitutional amendment to remove it from our political process.
Let the will of the people, the real individual voters decide who is elected, not the skewed results of a centuries old arrangement based on the English House of Lords where a limited few decide the will of the masses.
The real question with Trump probably is not to what to sign, but when to sign. The answer is, when he feels that his latest show of fighting for the border wall has gone on long enough to keep him in reasonably good standing with supporters such as Ann Coulter.
When he calculates that he can't be accused of compromising too quickly, he won't wrestle with the question of compromising too much. He will have put on his show, and he'll be impatient to walk away and change the subject.
5
For another week or so of comedic political theater "Chuck and Nancy" could offer Trump "a deal"...if Trump can get Mexico to commit to pitching in two-thirds, the Democrats will commit to go along with the other one-third...
It was, after all, Donald the Dotard's solemn campaign promise to have, "Mexico pay for it."
6
“We’ll see what happens,” Mr. Trump told reporters on Tuesday about the chances of avoiding a shutdown. “It’s too early to say.”
The title of this article says that Trump is wavering. Trump said, 'We'll see what happens.' I don't see that as 'wavering.'
5
@Labete
compared to his on air declaration to give him what he wants or he will shut down the government and proudly own it, saying he will be seeing what happens amounts to wavering.
Ms. Sanders's comments reflect either her gross ignorance of fiscal law or she is simply lying. Perhaps both. Isn't there any legal counsel to prep Sanders, because they would have informed her of the real facts: Trump cannot cobble funds or raid the accounts of other agencies. Ultimately, Sanders presents these nonsensical statements solely to feed Trump's base, because out here in the real world, where over 250 incarcerated immigrant children have not yet been reunited to their parents---Trump is not going to get his wall that much is certain.
20
Why not both? Your points about the baffoon are not mutually exclusive.
1
Trump's "wall" is a chimera! Mexico immediately let him know that they would not pay for it.Congress has not been so definitive and the time is now to stop playing the game of maybe a wall.The wall is not a solution for immigration policy.There are other ways to protect the border, some of them high tech and some of them with selective increased border patrol.This costly and ineffective building project needs to join the Trump Tower Moscow as a no go project.
9
Trump needs to stop bullying America by bullying our elected reps!
12
When a million show up at the border you’ll wish we had a wall.
5
M in Seattle: Millions are already showing up at our border — by airplane. Which a border wall won’t affect. And it is these visitors who overstay their visas, smuggle drugs, and generally add to the illegal immigrant problem, in much greater numbers than those coming across our southern border. Seems like you’ve been watching too much Fox News lately if you believe otherwise!
36
Maybe if a million show up at the border we’ll wish we hadn’t treated their countries as colonies and pawns in our cold war political games, leaving them under the yoke of kleptocratic dictatorships, impoverished and with enormous social inequality.
28
@M A million Canadians do show up every day...what are you trying to say? Someone take your job?
3
A public contest should be held to show the world (and congress) how easily Trump's revered see-through walls can be defeated. I'd imagine strong hydraulic rams could quickly bend the slats enough to let humans through. Also, low flying drones strong enough to lift and carry humans already exist. Then, of course, there are ladders and tunnels. The surely ineffective wall is not worth the billions that could be spent on infrastructure projects. It seems Trump loves to waste our money. A classic example is the $12 billion spent bailing out farmers distressed by his poorly planned trade war. We don't need to keep throwing money at his idiotic campaign promises. As Trump fails to negotiate and retreats, I can only hope the $1.6 billion offered is reduced.
16
Plus the recipients of most of the $12b bailout largesse include Archer Daniel's Midland and a Chinese corporation.
Family farms will get little of that waste.
Trump's philosophy is shoot (his mouth off) first and ask questions later.
1
As usual, President We’ll-See-What-Happens offers nothing. A complete empty suit.
23
Trump didn't want to spoil his vacation.
17
It is time to stop saying that Donald Trump is fulfilling a campaign pledge by demanding congressional appropriation for a wall. His campaign pledge was clear: Mexico was going to pay for the wall. He breaks that pledge every time he asks Congress for money.
38
I don't think Trump understands that his power and support are going to be sharply curtailed under the new Congress. Speaker Pelosi won't back down the way the Republicans in Congress have cowered at his bluster. As his legitimacy fades under the relentless pressure of the Special Prosecutor's investigations, together with New York and other state investigations where his pardon power doesn't apply, I expect the Senate to become less supportive too, as many Republicans seeking re-election in 2020 realize what a liability he is becoming.
Impeachment is now likely, under the emoluments clause at a minimum. It is possible that treason might be raised as an issue, too, unless there is another term to describe coordinating with the Russians to influence our elections.
17
@Gene S
The fly in your utopian ointment is that Pelosi has already ceded great power to incoming far left representatives who are as radical as far right representatives in the Freedom Caucus.
Dems have a long history of defeating themselves by not being unified. The Bernie Bro's are the most recent glaring demonstration of that.
The far left does not want orderly transition, they want what they want and they want it now. No matter that they have not earned what they want, they will do everything they can to disrupt the main party agenda until they get their way.
in effect Pelosi has given them the power to control the House in exactly the same way the Freedom Caucus ran roughshod over the republican controlled House.
"We'll see what happens. It's too early to say."
Hardly the words of a strong, decisive leader, are they?
How often does Trump say,"We'll have to wait and see....."
13
Punting is good. They do it in NFL all the time. It buys time to regroup again. McConnell needs to talk to Democrats what they accept and Trump what he accepts. The only thing Democrats accept is punt. Play the game again after half time recess, aka, lame duck.
1
DJT is retreating faster than his hair castle on a North Sea golf course.
The weight of all his missteps is starting to accumulate, and he may decide the presidency is too much sunlight; one can hope.
12
Is there anyone in the country who actually believes that DiJiTs actually intends to build an actual wall? The wall is worth much more to him unbuilt, and thus not completely ineffective to its stated purpose.
A symbolic or metaphorical wall is near and dear to his dwindling base. As an idea, it has infinitely more power than any moronic bricks-and-mortar version.
14
After making cocky, bellicose and unrealistic demands about his wall, it looks as if Trump is backing off. The bully blinked first.
15
Individual 1 has never hel more than a pair of 10's and maybe a face card. He is a bloviating empty suit who wastes money bluffing but folds when he is called out. He has spent his entire life playing with house money, which he managed to lose spectacularly in Atlantic City and elsewhere. He is how gambling with what he's not stealing from the Treasury, and has to be stopped. The media needs to investigate his fainancial crimes as NYT did so well in October, and call his bluff every hand he plays.
23
So the great 'winner' has caved--or been flogged. Said he would never settle the suit against his charity, now it's closing down. Said he would get Congress to fund his wall (after first promising he'd get Mexico to pay for it), now, no wall. It's a great day for us all.
20
I don’t get it. We have to pay for a vanity wall so that the President can be seen to have fulfilled his most ridiculous promise. But the promise was Mexico would pay.
22
The wall seems to be a disaster in the making for President Trump.
First, he said, quite a few times, during the presidential campaign that Mexico would pay for the wall. This, obviously will not happen. We hear no more from Trump about this.
Now, he says that other money will be found to pay for the wall. Where is this money coming from? No one seems to know. There probably isn't any money.
Trump keeps repeating that the wall will be built. How with no money?
There most likely will be no wall built. How will President Trump explain that there will be no wall?
7
@janye
The money is coming from
Contributions from tax cuts for the wealthy
Maybe some day this guy in the White House will learn how to negotiate. Hey, has he ever read that book “The Art of the Deal”?
21
It is tempting to crawl about yet another example of the Trump administration's misguided, blustering, incoherent incompetence. Let us, however, simply celebrate the prospect that this time the federal government will avoid a needlessly counterproductive and stupid shut-down.
Let us, at least, smile about something.
6
from, John lebaron. Sorry, "crawl" above should read "crow."
Take the deal and just leave the White House and take Pence with you.
18
We should start a put your money where your mouth is TAX. It would work like this: If you vote for a candidate like Trump you have to pay a tax to cover his wall. It works out to $105 bucks for all the 48 plus million that voted for him. Then get a corporation to sponsor naming rights and that's gravy on the deal. 48 million times 105 is 5 plus billion. Hit the EASY BUTTON please.
11
Trump ran on the promise that Mexico would pay for the wall. Period. End of discussion.
Why do the Republicans avoid that promise? Why isn’t the media blasting it 24/7? Showing Trump’s fans screaming it in demented delight during Trump’s rallies?
Make them all eat those words.
33
@Ruth Cohen
Actually, that makes just too much sense.
5
I am absolutely amazed by Sarah Sanders. Her rational mind must be completely disconnected from her conscious mind to talk such confusion.
21
She is so very talented at it, it’s incredible. I wonder what she tells her children about lying.
I thought she knew the Ten Commandments, including, “Thou shalt not lie”.
17
The dissonance has to be deafening on so many levels that most of her human functions have shut down. It is the same in every cult I am told.
5
At the end of be day, this administration no longer has 2016 levels of leverage. It’s therefore not surprising Trump et al were bluffing about the government shutdown.
5
The same question keeps going round in my head. Why is DT asking Congress to fund this when Mexico was supposed to pay for it?
13
"The scene robbed congressional Republicans of their ability to blame a potential impasse on Democrats, and they have spent the days since casting about for ways to choreograph a compromise that would protect Mr. Trump’s ego and still be broadly acceptable."
The key to reaching compromise here is to scale the wall proposal back and focus it on something that everyone can support. How about a proposal to build a much smaller more targeted wall? How about building a wall that simply "would protect Mr. Trump’s ego"?
Maybe something that could fit comfortably inside the White House master bedroom. It could be padded on its interior so that Mr. Trump won't hurt himself when he awakens suddenly from a nightmare, a crisis that one suspects will be occurring with increasing frequency. A flashy covering of gold chintz might also be a nice touch. Or even satin or velvet. Being so small, a minor decorative splurge wouldn't cost all that much.
8
Any republican who stands with Trump needs to be removed form office.
22
Could someone show Trump a satellite photo of the Great Wall in China? Maybe he could ask Xi how well it worked?
14
Trump and his administration are incompetent - Heck, the whole Republican party has lost it's way, and has shown they are unable to govern or stand up for what is right.
15
The Wall (my apologies to Pink Floyd) is a joke that simply must end.
Another promise made, another promise broken by DJT. Just as there is no new great healthcare plan of any sort- there will never, ever- be a Wall.
I am less concerned about what DJT will do in the next few weeks as his presidency comes crashing down than I am as his followers realize once and for all that they have been had and that their one presidential vote in 2016 went to an agent of putin.
Sadly, that day is coming...
11
I'm glad Pelosi has been part of these negotiations, despite the fact that she's essentially powerless until next month. Were Schumer the point man on this, I fear he would've capitulated already.
3
There are those who go toward the sounds of chaos...the few, the proud, the Marines.
And there are those who create chaos...the few, the loud, the Trumps.
6
What he says today may be different than what he said yesterday and can equally be different than what he says tomorrow. He cannot seem to hold a thought longer than it takes to type a tweet full of typos.
12
Maybe Trump should hold a bake sale, or build a gingerbread wall. It would be tasty and visually appealing. Or, maybe Schumer should suggest a GoFundMe? Or, pay for it by raising tariffs! These are all creative solutions to Trump’s signature platform that yielded him the greatest electoral victory in the history of mankind. I mean the Great Wall of China worked for a while, right? Not to mention how it would offer all Americans a true sense of security and equality, in that, we’d all be living in a gated community together! And those outside could be given the password occasionally (“Open Sezme”) to be let in whenever Mar-a-lago needs a few more hired hands. America could truly become great again! Bipartisanship would reign. The onliest little problem I could foresee is if it’s not built, Trump will have failed at his number one promise. What excuse will Trumpers have to vote for him then? And, the Dems won’t have a cover for their incompetence and cowardice if he’s not re-elected. It’s amazing how these things all work together. Sad, really.
7
We are supposed to let him off the hook now? Shut it down like you said and be accountable for yourself for once, Mr. Trump.
7
Trump folded like a cheap suit. What a deal maker.
15
I wonder if Mr. Trump thinks himself a candidate on the TV show, Dancing with the Stars: He thinks he is destined to be the Mirror Ball Trophy winner without the need of practicing with his coach and partner so he can score high marks with the judges. If something goes wrong, he will blame the band for poorly played music and the production company for poorly designed sets. He is one to insist that useless sets be built to appease his ego.
If the sets are not built, he will threaten to shut down production of the show, but if the show continues with the judges giving him the lowest scores, his crazy fans will vote for him despite his lack of artistic ability and skill.
3
Would somebody please take the conversation back to the fact that Trump emphatically said "Mexico will pay for the wall." Every time paying for the wall comes up, the Democrats should say, "Mexico will pay for it" and change the subject.
13
I feel like there’s going be a lot of white flags. A lot of retreat.
5
I thought Mexico was going to pay for it. What changed?
14
What is the earthly point of reporting what Ms Sanders said on Fox? She has no more clue what Trump will actually do than anyone else. She just says whatever she thinks her base audience wants to hear. Her words offer no valid insight into what the administration is planning and thus are irrelevant and unworthy of type space. Trump will do whatever his irrational “gut” tells him to do from moment to moment and I doubt even Trump knows what he will wind up doing. It isn’t as if he has some grand intelligent design dictating his actions.
11
Has Trump ever had a coherent strategy on anything? When you govern by feel or instinct decisions are based upon the last voice heard whether in person or on Fox. That is how Trump ran his fragile business enterprises and that is why the White House is so wobbly. Until Trump leaves America will continue to drift downward domestically and internationally.
9
Drift? I'd say more of a plummet....
5
If Trump were serious about building his wall, he'd offer Democrats something they want for it. But only picking fights, that's not serious behavior.
5
Congress is maybe beginning to understand Trump's negotiating style of making outlandish threats (shutting down the government right before Christmas) and then backing down.
What Trump and his base don't have the experience to realize is that his last minute retreats demolish any chance at negotiating a plan B. Democrats and Republicans in both the House and the Senate will never be able to reach an agreement in a day or two. In essence Trump is undermining his own plans. His buffoonish immovable demands may have worked in the "Art of the Deal" applied to New York real estate scams, but that scheme isn't effective in dealing with Congress and the writing of laws.
141
@dpaqcluck: His "buffoonish immovable demands" did not work in NY either. They only worked in the make believe world of "The Apprentice."
10
@dpaqcluck
It's absurd to call this a "negotiating style".
Tweeting and spouting bumper sticker lines on camera has NOTHING to do with negotiating.
He still has to START negotiating with his own GOP Congress on ANY of his main campaign promises.
On healthcare for instance he immediately threw his full support behind Ryancare, even though - surprise surprise - that bill does the exact opposite of what Trump promised to do on healthcare.
From then on, Congress new that this was a fake president, who would merely tweet and make noise and as such, be the very best brand marketing manager that they had ever had, but that's about it.
Democrats do want to see real progress for the American people though, so come January, THEY will start negotiating with Trump, whether he likes it or not.
And the main reason why during the lame duck session the GOP all of a sudden passes bipartisan criminal justice reform after having blocked it for five years, is probably to have at least ONE bipartisan bill to show to the American people before the REAL negotiators are taking over the House ...
1
@joe Sadly Trump's "governance" is make believe, just like his university and foundation.
1
"Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, said on Fox News there were other ways to secure his demand and deliver on a signature campaign promise." Sure, get in touch with the Mexican government. Trump also promised that they would pay for it.
151
@Ockham9 --the other options are that he can pay for it himself, or run a "gofundme" of his right-wing supporters.
Guess what? He's too cheap and they are too cheap. They only want the wall if other people pay for it.
Hey Trump supporters: you so tired of winning yet?
39
What the White House says and what Trump tweets are usually quite different.
Until he actually tweets that the government won't be shut down, I'm planning on a vacation without pay.
FYI, employees in this furlough situation aren't guaranteed back pay. Usually it gets included in negotiations, but with these politicians I just throw my hands up in the air.
60
@Jaid Sounds like you might consider spending some of your free time over the next 2 years volunteering for the Democratic Party, so that Pennsylvania electoral votes don't go to Trump for a second term.
3
Like all bullies, Trump loses when you stand up to him. China knows it, N Korea knows it - I hope Democrats know it now too. Happy Holidays.
12
Trump is looking for alternative ways to fund his wall? Why not ask Mexico?
9
At least the administration now admits there is an "end of the day". I thought it was a "deep-state" fake news item that the sun rises and the sun sets. What next? Some serious planning for the future of the USA?
4
Well, Nancy Pelosi and Donald Trump went eyeball to eyeball last week and Trump just blinked.
12
Trump is not one to walk and chew gun so he has become almost catatonic at this point.
5
" would find “different funding sources” to finance the wall."
How about dipping into his own pockets?
9
So trump and company are just going to manufacture $1B of 'stray' money? If it is that easy to find $1B, Acting President Mulvaney must not be doing such a good job at OMB.
You might think this bad news might mess up trump's golf game, but his focus on golf is total; nothing will get in the way of that.
5
maybe he can find the $1,500B that he gave away in tax cuts.
remember when the top 10% paid a marginal 90% when the nation needed defense.
4
" a president intent on fulfilling a signature campaign promise "
He's already broken the campaign promise. He said it would cost Americans nothing because Mexico would pay for it.
10
I'm dreaming of a White House shutdown.
7
take the keys to Air Force One & make donnie sit in the Oval Office until he understands his mistakes.
8
@brian
Just take the keys. Period.
7
I don't know how, but I'm sure Democrats will come up with some cringe-worthy compromise that doesn't put Trump in his place.
The Republicans have the votes to give the money now, what they are hoping is that this issue will not be solved before January 1, 2019 and then the Democratic will be blamed for not funding the wall, therefore bringing the Trump base out in 2020. Mr. Schumer and Ms. Pelosi this is not rocket science. Again, you are being played.
2
@Gregory
Actually Nancy and Chuck played the old Trumpster pretty well on national TV. I bet even they were surprised at how incredibly easy It was. We are learning what N Korea and China (among many others) Donald Trump is a paper tiger. He doesn’t prepare, doesn’t take counsel and he messes up every time.
8
The Republicans know the wall is a really stupid idea and since many hope to be in office when Trump is but a bad memory they do not want their names on legislation funding it. Trump wants a wall because he has confíes in the construction industry who will pocket the 5 billion.
2
I was going to get a copy of The Art of the Deal.
But now I think I'll buy either Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters or Keeping Faith in Congress: Why Persistence, Compassion, and Teamwork will Save Our Democracy.
Suggestions?
1
I'm 63. Several decades ago, I remember a conservative saying he opposed public-sector unions because they might threaten to shut down the government as a negotiating tactic.
Look who's making the threat now.
13
Anyone with a half a brain knows that a wall will do nothing.
20
Actually, the campaign promise President Trump made was that Mexico would pay for a wall. The Times' reporters have fallen for the administration's convenient memory lapse on what was actually promised.
18
We have had the New Deal under Roosevelt. Now on his wall Trump has gotten a No Deal.
8
Trump has enough money that he can pay for the wall he wants so badly. The wall will be known in history as the great wall of trump.
9
So Trump either was lying then or he’s lying now. One or the other.
7
This would be funny if it weren't so sad.
6
I am enthusiastically in favor of the shutdown.
First of all, because it will ruin his planned 16 day vacation.
Second of all, because it will ruin his planned 16 day vacation.
Third of all, because it will ruin his planned 16 day vacation.
16
@A. Stanton
It will only sort-of ruin his 16 day vacation. He will get in his 18 holes a day before he has "executive time" to catch the Fox version of the news, then spend time tweeting the Fox version of the news. Then, he will spend an hour or two pretending to be President.
4
Yesterday, the New York Times had a wonderful article about a brilliant man, Donald Knuth. Sure wish that we could have elected that Donald, the author of The Art of Computer Programming, instead of this Donald, the pseudo-author of The Art of the (Bogus) Deal.
5
Year 2 and no wall!
8
If Mexico is paying, why does the US government have to shut down??
19
Walls are 14th century technology but Trump's base seems to think that's the best America can do. A mote might also appeal to them.
6
@Westcoast Texan -- there is a log in Trump's eye, it is no mote.
2
Today Sarah Sanders stood at the White House Press Secretary's podium and lied once again to the American people, multiple times.
When questioned why taxpayers are now being asked to fund 5 billion dollars to start construction of a border wall, when Mr. Trump promised that Mexico would pay for it, Ms. Sanders began her diatribe of lies by saying "We're not asking tax payers for that...uh...we are looking at existing funding through other agencies right now that we can draw on to do that immediately"...
Where does Ms. Sanders think the money originally came from that was allocated to those "other agencies"? Yes, that's right, taxpayer dollars.
But Ms. Sanders wasn't done lying yet, stating "...the USMCA deal will provide additional revenue through that deal that would show that Mexico is paying for the wall."
When the reporter pointed out that any money that flows because of the USMCA trade deal goes to private business operators engaged in said trade and NOT the U.S. Treasury Ms. Sanders persisted in her lie that this is "revenue" the government will be getting from Mexico that can be allocated to border wall funding.
Ms. Sanders, either take a refresher course on Federal Govt. 101 and Ethics... or just step down from that podium.
23
"She said the administration has a “number of different funding sources we could use” to reach $5 billion, ..."
I'll bet Mexico isn't one of them.
14
So let's see, we faced a government shutdown because Mexico wouldn't pay for the wall promised by Trump. Now this reality show president realizes that when you renege on a campaign promise, it comes back to bite you.
12
Trump doesn't consider this to be defeat. The threat of a shutdown was just another ploy to draw attention to himself.
Mission accomplished.
12
He blinked. . .again.
Nancy Pelosi - our first woman President!
22
What we want is to shut down this Presidency. Go Democratic House!
16
I thought Mexico was paying?
17
@Paula
Yeah, he needs to be pressuring Mexico's Congress!
Could someone point him in the right direction?
6
Only in America ! Could we elect a tactless incompetent child and then expect intelligent policies. Only reason or the law will rid us of this nightmare.
14
Like the bankrupt Trump Taj Mahal casino (and others), nobody wants to fund that useless, foolish, ineffective, money-pit of a wall.
18
So the "master of the deal guy" folds, and lets the dim-witted republicans try to not look like loony tunes. Who said government isn't a comedy?
15
And the would be bully.....blinks.
Cowards always seem to back down when they realize you'll NEVER give in to childish demands.
15
@Paul P. -- I don't know what your childhood experience with bullying was ... but mine was ... informative.
In was an average-sized kid in size, strength and speed, but smart and with a big mouth. I was fortunate in being raised by my old-school grandparents, who were tough, and gave good advice. My grandfather's advice was simple: "you need to hurt the bully, so he goes and preys on somebody else weaker."
It got me in some trouble, but my grandparents did defend me. And the bullies went looking for easier meat.
1
I'm sure Trump can raise $5 billion from his crazy rich friends like the Mercers and Betsy.
14
As usual, bluster and lies from the WH. Americans can't believe anything except threats to our foundation of laws. GOP has to make a stand and rebuke our WH.
8
Shutdown? I thought Mexico was going to pay for the wall?
15
Trump need a shut down of himself. First of foremost from Twitter. Then from the Oval Office.
14
Just another indicator of Trump realizing he has zero power and zippo credibility.
16
Untrue there's an APB (all points bulleti) out for Mike Pence..
2
Call it like it is. He lied when talking to Schumer. Stop trying to soften the degree at which he lies.
9
Sanders: “At the end of the day, we don’t want to shut down the government, we want to shut down the border.”
I guess when Trump said he wanted to shut the government down it wasn’t the end of the day.
10
“At the end of the day, we don’t want to shut down the government, we want to shut down the border.”
Nice try, Sarah.
12
"OK so if you really won't fund it . . .I'll show you. I'm gonna take my wall and go home!" DJT
9
Go Fund Me page started for wall . If the people who voted for him would just send $100 ,Don would do wonderful beautiful things to prevent the invasion of those bad, hombre's.
7
@Demdan I think a new foundation for the Trump Wall might be in order. The last foundation just shut down due to corruption. I'm sure the next one will be much more honest.
8
Can't some one just tell him the wall's been built? It's not like he really would verify it.
Can't we just gaslight him? Can't we entice him out of the white house with trails of KFC? Entice him with some other shiny something-or-other that would distract him away from wanting to be "president"? "Look! Over there! Grand, glorious! You can have THAT!"
Or here, how about this: I would be totally fine if the appropriate parties cut a deal with him where he gets a permanent get out of jail card for himself and his family AF 1) he and Pence resign immediately and simultaneously such that Pelosi ascends to the presidency 2) He promises to just stop. Stop with doing new awful things. He can have his toys - his golf courses - he can go back to his fake castle in "trump" tower... but he has to agree to permanently go away and just leave us alone. OK?
13
No. After all the damage the Trumps have caused the only best result is prison.
5
Prisons have walls! He'd be happy.
6
Until Trump starts tweeting otherwise.
1
Maybe the Chinese, oil cartels, and a correction due have contributed to the market drop, but Trump's immature and Thoughtless blustering does not help.
Many older folks count on interest & pensions to live. Many federal employees count on a pay check over the holidays.
While Russian influence has been allowed to violated our sovereignty, Trump pretends the Wall if really protecting major US interests, worth destabilizing America.
He's a bull in a china shop (pun intended).
3
Great! We (and the WH) needed a break from winning...
7
So the question is how many billions of taxpayer dollars will be handed to Donald Trump to squander on his anti-Mexican campaign? Is this a Republican scheme to scare off Latino votes forever? If so, it's an early Christmas gift to the Democrats...
4
Look, Trump never was serious about this wall. The wall, like everything that comes out of his mouth, is a pander to his base. It's nothing more than a big, loud, flashy image that says "don't mess with America"(especially in its campaign incarnation...remember Mexico paying for it?) and it appeals to xenophobia. Trump may be idiotic and sloppy about a lot of things but he's more clever politically than he's given credit for. He's made the calculation that the "wall" unbuilt is more politically valuable to him than if built. First off, the "Build the wall" chant is probably the greatest crowd motivator at Trump rallies, which is a pretty good indicator of its emotional appeal to his base in general. Trump the showman of course recognizes the value of this.... Why give it up? Second, if the wall is unbuilt he can use it for a vitally important second political purpose: to stoke the sense of victimization that is so essential to his political strategy. Look at what those evil pro-open-borders, pro-illegal, pro-terrorist Democrats are doing to you!!! Third, anybody who watches Fox News (like Trump himself) knows how much coverage they give to immigration and the wall. Trump probably has no other issue to replace this valuable airtime with if he actually gets what he claims he wants with the wall.
Bottom line: everything with Trump is a show, a charade, a spectacle, a con, a scam. If lives are ruined by his political opportunism, all the better: "He's got guts", says his base.
15
And I'm still waiting for the beautiful middle income tax cut. When are his supporters going to realize that he is an empty bag?
11
So much winning!
6
So in other words, Sarah is saying we've accrued enough Stanley nickels and Schrute bucks to complete many miles of alternative wall. No shutdown needed. Works for me!
4
Typical Trump. Over promise, under achieve, claim victory.
9
He/she who thinks before opening their mouth generally will not have to retreat!
3
It is amusing there is an attribution to Ms. Sanders, the White House propaganda minister, that Trump may be able to find $5BN for his sacred wall that commemorates his vanity and ego.
I am for border security, however, this wall does little when one looks at statistics presented by our own government-statistics that do not support the need for a wall.
Alas, Trump promised it, and therefore it should be built, is his reasoning. Well, as soon as Mexico comes up with the cash that Trump promised I will see the outcome.
What? Mexico is not going to pay? What other promises made and not kept will be revealed?
Lastly, Trump himself could help finance the wall when he dissolves his fake trust and could also use the money he spends on golf outings for border security (remember-he will be too busy for golf, another promise made and not kept, if any Trump apologists are keeping track).
9
Like the old saw about New England weather, if you don't like something Trump says or does, just wait a day (or an hour) and it will change. He makes it impossible for political opponents in our own country or other world leaders to negotiate with him when they see so clearly that he is someone who completely lacks principle and integrity. Doesn't seem to bother his followers much though.
7
Big surprise -- he's all mouth. But I wouldn't mind if he shut down his own part of the government, or at least his presence in it.
8
This is so confusing: Mexico is paying for the wall, right?
I mean, that's what Trump said so it must be true.
12
As a longtime Republican and a Trump supporter, I would like to send a simple message to the President and the Party.
No wall. No vote.
If President Trump and Republicans won’t secure the border, I have no reason to vote for either in 2020.
(They can all it a fence or a barrier or an obstacle or a deterrent or a hindrance or whatever else is needed to get it done, as long as it physically prevents illegal aliens and asylum scammers from stepping foot in the United States.)
Of course, the Democrats have nothing but effectively open borders to offer, so there’s no reason to vote for them either. It’s a shame, because I’m more aligned with Democrats on taxes and health insurance than with my own party.
Oh well. After a lifetime of regular voting, I’ll have to spend the last portion of my life abstaining from the voting booth.
1
People who are un-analytical and simplistic in their thinking and reasoning probably shouldn’t vote. So thanks.
19
@John Please quote one Democrat who ever advocated for open borders. I'll send you $100 if you can, but you owe me $100 if you can't. Deal?
13
@John Harper
"My dream is a hemispheric common market, with open trade and open borders, some time in the future with energy that is as green and sustainable as we can get it, powering growth and opportunity for every person in the hemisphere."
Hillary Clinton, 2013, Speech to Banco Itau in Brazil
Send the $100 to charity. I don't need it.
1
On the plus side, if we build this monument to Trump, future presidents can campaign on a promise to tear it down. Mexico might even pay.
6
I don’t see how trump or Ms Sanders can blame the Democrats. It’s my understanding the republicans control both the House and the Senate through the end of the year. If you want to place blame, put it on trumps inability to manage a relationship with congress. He should look at Walker in Wisconsin as an example of good leadership (I disagree with what the Wisconsin republicans are doing but at least they are getting stuff done)
3
In what I suspect will be seen as a significant slip, Sanders says "we don’t want to shut down the government, we want to shut down the border.” Maybe she really means it. No more immigrants at all. Closed border. I doubt it, but that seems to be what the White House really thinks.
And another example of the great chief negotiator at work. Act tough, make big threats, then weasel your way out when the other side doesn't blink.
5
Isn’t it the nature of bullies to back down when someone stands up to them?
12
Those Republican senators that profess to be clueless are precious. As if they don’t know who Trump is and does. They just provide him with their support for two years. Sad!
2
And people keep electing Republicans to govern the country! Why? Who would have known that "MAGA" would be so easy.
4
There should be a referendum on the wall.
@Alexgri How would that work? Would we use the electoral college again, or use the results from gerrymandered voting districts?
4
I work for the federal government and something a lot of people likely don't realize is how disruptive even the threat of a shutdown is. Agencies have to spend significant amounts of time and resources to prepare for potential shutdowns. Time far better spent on doing work for the American people.
319
@Josh G Correct of course, and thanks for your service. But for Trump, this is "work". And this is about all we can expect. If we want him to spend his time "better" we should see that he golfs and sleep as much as possible.
26
@Josh G
Of course it's disruptive. I consider it a terrorist threat.
29
Yes, well, off shift, Federal employees should be marching around the White carrying placards alerting the public to just that. Death by a thousand cuts.
20
"Who's going to pay for the wall?" "MEXICO!!!!"
Might be a useful rally cry to his feckless supporters but it is as hollow and phony as Trump himself. Add that to a stupid and damaging immigration policy and you have what is commonly referred to as a Weak Presidency.
20
What happened to the guarantee that Mexico will pay for the wall?
18
Mexico said no. Well, actually I think there may’ve been a colorful addendum or two to “no.”
8
Can we just shut down the
White House instead of the whole government? Maybe we can reopen it during the next election.
53
No doubt he changed his tune when he was informed his 16 day vacation was in peril. Guy truly only cares for himself.
46
"Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, said on Fox News there were other ways to secure his demand and deliver on a signature campaign promise "
The promise was Mexico was going to pay for it.
37
There is a great episode of Malcolm Gladwells' "Revisionist History" regarding the negative (read: opposite) effect of the militarization of the border with Mexico.
"General Chapman's Last Stand"
And the report by Douglas Massey in 2016:
http://www.frdb.org/be/file/_scheda/files/Massey.pdf
A fine example of the US taking something that wasn't problem and making it one.
8
He'll probably try to get SNL to pay for the wall.
13
Trump has threatened to build the wall since day one of the administration. From the start, it was widely viewed as an unaffordable expenditure. The same threat has been made a dozen times and then retreated from a dozen times. That is a bluff, pure and simple. Trump's purpose is to appear tough on immigration while repeatedly backing off. Nobody is going to build a multi-billion dollar wall. And after a dozen bluffs, the media should report number 13 as one more piece of nonsense.
5
$26 billion for border security? Give em all they need. That's about a dozen new B-2 Stealth bombers that we should also add to the War on Terror (now at $1.6 trillion) to continue supporting the noble statesman G.W. 'mission accomplished' Bush's idea to fix the Middle East. Or else use it to fund additional inquiries into Hillary Clinton's emails which were actually the greatest threat to American democracy (Clinton Foundation is #2) in our history. I'm looking for a government position with the Trump administration or GOP - or as paid Fox News expert commentator - please reply to this blog and I will come right over for an interview.
7
@Ed Smith There are some qualifications-lie with a straight face, go home and have no misgivings about the lie you just told.
1
Of course. Golf is calling our 24/7 President and nothing will interfere, such as governing.
13
Don’t you see? The Wall is a metaphor for Trump’s real plan to halt immigration:
he’s going to turn America into a third world country that no one will wan to live in!
12
Let me sure I have this right. The people in Mexico Beach, Florida need federal funding to help rebuild after the hurricane but trump wants a wall. REALLY! His plan to shut down the government was going to hurt his base. Why? The treasury would not be able to issue any checks for social security. The only federal agency this is fully funded is the Department of Defense. Which means no matter what they will keep working and getting paid.
11
@Wade: Agreed, but also don’t forget about Puerto Rico, which is still a mess a year after getting slammed.
Scott,
That is the point. trump did not even know that Puerto Rico was a part of the United States.
It is time for the citizens of the Untied States to stand up and demand that this madness with trump ends.
2
At this point Trump is likely to bring up anything that will deflect attention from his illegal acts. We can expect even more outrageous statements and acts as this will be what it takes to surpass media coverage of increasing evidence of wrongdoing as investigations and prosecutions reach new stages. The NYT, other media, and indeed all people should pause before taking the 'bait'. Cover the false arguments, but then quickly move back to the core issue.
10
Oh, look, Trump is searching for creative financing sources for an ill-advised property development project in a political hot-spot at the center of U.S. economic and humanitarian conflicts and controversies! Only a stable genius could see this as a way to divert attention from his entanglement with money laundering, campaign finance violations, tax dodges, social media propaganda, Syrian and North Korean war postures, and a Moscow Trump Tower deal that were all designed to please and placate Russian interests.
8
Well of course trump capitulated to Pelosi and Schumer , The Democrats have the high ground and now control the budget starting next year .and trump had nothing .
7
"The White House signaled on Tuesday that President Trump may be backing down on his demands........." leaves me wondering exactly who in the White House has put together these statements and whether the president has had anything to do with them. "Trust Twitter" seems the way to go when one wants to know what the president is thinking, believing or stating. Who in all of this is setting policy?
2
This is the guy his "fans" believe is a "great negotiator"?
Laughable. Is there ANYTHING he has legitimately done on his own that stands up to scrutiny?
This national nightmare MUST end for our collective sanity.
15
The Homeland Security Department used to be an edifice of national security. Under Trump, driven by his deluded obsession over phantom menaces at the border, it has become a sad caricature most noted for separating children from their families. Instead of obsessing over the wall, why doesn't he seek more funds for combatting the real national security threat of domestic terrorism, so we can read less frequently about mass slaughters within our borders.
10
Could be just another way to keep the news cycle playing his songs of distraction to keep our eyes averted form the problem, him.
5
There is no wonder Congressional Republicans are dazed and confused and not even bothering to show up to vote.
No matter what happens, they have already lost -- and lost big -- over the shutdown.
Voters know the party currently in power -- Republicans.
Voters know the party that has been enabling Trump and his crimes and chaos over the past two years -- Republicans.
Voters know the party that cannot even provide a semblance of governing, even after suffering a rout in November -- Republicans.
Voters know that healthcare was the no. 1 issue in November, and which party is responsible for gutting the ACA over the past 2 years, and leading the legal challenge that just resulted in the law being declared unconstitutional -- Republicans.
14
@Dan88
Sorry Dan. Most voters do not know anything. This is is why we have the elected officials we have, be it president, governor, mayor, congress rep.
"Trump’s border wall will be even more useless than previously thought ... Trump's obsession with undocumented Mexican immigrants is based on false data, and is aimed at stirring up racial panic for political gain" (Miami Herald) But to Mr. Trump "false data" = "alternative facts", and "political gain" = what his game is, along with money. His threatened shutdown amounts to extortion.
8
Classic Trump—loud, loud bluster, then he folds. A week from now, he’s be declaring sweet, sweet VICTORY!
Hey, isn’t that how he “handled,” the DPRK? Or am I the only one who gets a little concerned at having every creep, crook and thug on the planet know that they can roll our President, and roll him pretty easy?
17
Sure, that's the line now. But Hannity's not going to take this lying down. And after the late-night repeat, neither will Our President.
If all else fails, they can let Ainsley coo the words into his ear tomorrow morning on Fox & Friends.
4
No wall? Whomp, whomp.
16
Maybe the Trump Foundation could write a chec . . .
21
Trump is a bully, hence, a coward in disguise. Can't we seehe was bluffing all the time, with his temper tantrums to shut the government for his stupid wall?
8
The Great Deal Maker at work - bluffing with a pair of twos. Lord - I will be so glad when this shameful, pathetic chapter in our nation's history finally grinds to an end. Good luck, historians.
28
@gdurt
"Good luck, historians". Excellent. Good luck is right.
2
No money for the wall. Not now or in the future. Wall is useless. Ray Sipe
24
I just wish that they'd shutdown or at least shut up in The White House.
17
Nancy - 1
Trump - 0
57
An bigoted idiot with bigoted, idiotic ideas is surprised to find out that not everyone is willing to make those ideas reality just to appease his ego.
But don't worry, guys. I'm sure Mitch McConnell will find some Social Security money to toss into the bonfire of Trump's hopeless rage.
15
Is there any doubt now as to why foreign governments are reluctant to deal with this Administration? If any networks are looking a new sitcom, just do a weekly 30 minute recap of these clowns. Trump will zoom in the ratings.
13
I thought Mexico was paying for the wall?
19
The latest spin was that Mexico would pay indirectly. The wall would be funded with the proceeds from Tariff Man's new import duties.
But really all Our President knows is punishment. (You dare to cross me? You'll *pay* for that!) It's almost a fetish. And that's why the Gang Of Poltroons (look it up!) can't quit him.
1
Wasn't Mexico supposed to pay for Trump's wall?
9
Wouldn't you just love to have Trump in your poker game?
13
@Bobaloobob no
Well someone has to ensure that the Secret Service get paid to schlepp his golf clubs around and line up his putts. Think of the optics of that. Yo! Scott...I just hit one in the water. Go fetch that Titleist for me and make sure you dry it off
8
Too bad the border wasn't shut down the day the Trumps and Sanders came a knockin'
9
Is Trump going to try and borrow 5 billion dollars from the Russian mob for the wall? Otherwise, what is Sarah Sanders talking about?
40
Different funding sources? Is Michael Cohen arranging a $5 billon second mortgage on Mar-a-Lago? Sounds completely legal and above-board as usual for the Trump Syndicate.
13
So the White House sends Stephen Miller out to talk Trump trash about the wall and doing what ever it takes to get it funded and built.
As soon as the boy wonder get's back, Trump pulls the rug out from under him and rolls the bus right over him.
What happens when a liar lies for a liar? Do you get the truth?
12
Again, go secure payment for the wall from the Mexican government.
8
We leave 2018 the same way we began it -- which Trump administration liar to we believe?
Do we believe lyin' Trump senior advisor Stephen Miller, who embraces the Trump shut-down?
Or do we believe lyin' WH press secretary Sarah Sanders, who does not?
My money is on Sanders, because Trump wants to golf in peace.
7
"At the end of the day we don’t want to shut down the government, we want to shut down the border."
At the end of the day we don't want to shut down the government or the border.
We want to shut down the Republican Party - all of it, in its corrupt, morally bankrupt entirety, for once and for all. Tired of the drama, the corruption, the bigotry; tired of their 40 year assault on our democracy. They hate the government - so why should they run it? They hate the people (unless they are billionaires) so why should they represent us? And once we throw these crooks and charlatans out of office - every office, from president to dogcatcher, in 2020 - we DEMAND commissions, investigations, indictments, arrests, trials and jail time for Republican criminals and traitors. No more forgive and forget, no more bipartisan reach across the aisle nonsense, no more compromise with fascists who equate compromise with surrender. We want these Koch Brothers owned stooges in jail, not running a government they hate, on behalf of plutocrats who hate democracy, pretending to represent people they have only contempt for.
We want them behind bars, where they have long (since Nixon) belonged. ALL of THEM: Trump, Pence, Ryan, McConnell, McCarthy, Nunes; down to their sleazy governors, their mayors, the local school board crook, and yes, the dogcatcher.
We are through putting up with their drama and their nonsense. We are getting rid of them in 2020.
All of them. Each and every one of them.
65
Folded like a lawn chair!
21
Get the money from Trump's pals in Russia and Saudi Arabia.
8
We can all be thankful that Trump is the worst negotiator in American history. Anyone who thought he would stand up on any principle (even his ugly racist ones) has no idea of his history. He’s weak, insecure, and easily manipulated.
Another failure for Trump, another win for America
18
Isn't it amazing when the spoiled child in the White House finds out he won't get his way after all he backs down. Your job is to enforce the laws enacted by Congress not demand what they put into place. You may try acting like you know how that is done for a change.
2
Democrats should stop gloating. The battle to save democracy, the integrity of our republic, the global economy and, ultimately, our beautiful, amazing planet Earth, has already been lost.
Idiocy and dishonesty have triumphed!
5
"Mr. Trump, tear down this wall!"
7
He's not backing down. Someone reminded him that Mexico's paying for the wall. C'mon!
3
We all learn as kids how you deal with a bully kid, in the long run: ignore the threats, push back, find friends to have your back.
Since we have a bully child as chief executive, our leaders (from both parties -- though with Democrats in the lead) across the political spectrum are having to apply this lesson to grown-up real politics with the future of the world at stake.
That said: while Mr Trump clowns and blusters and tweets, the corporate interests who fronted him, who manipulate him, and who will chew him up and spit him out when they're done with him are busy tearing down most of the administrative gains since the New Deal, and have targeted the New Deal foundations, too... though not yet successfully.
A lot of bad is happening while we worry about $1.6 bn.
5
Too bad about the Trump Foundation. It could have paid for the wall.
7
@C.P.Foundation had only 1.t million and NY will determine where it goes.
I'm reliably informed that The Donald J Trump Foundation is an excellent source of excess funds for self-portraits or whatever may be wanting.... Perhaps they can find wall funding there!
10
But of course.
It's said that the "personality" of any White House will be largely indistinguishable from that of the Chief Exec who's in there. We've seen more than enough proof of this over the last two years, I think.
DJT exemplifies the malignant hero -- s/he who creates a crisis (real, imagined, or simply opportunistic for whatever reason) and then steps in and/or walks back with the "solution" or something that looks like one. Or appears able to become one.
If it's a matter of self-importance vs. a need for attention, we should consider the prevailing larger context: Elected office is NOT a vehicle to ensure that the elected is always the topic of conversation. Well, it is now I guess.
4
Good to see that Mexico is finally coming through! The art of the deal indeed! Trump delivers for Xmas and teaches them a lesson in the process? MAGA!!
Wait, what's that you say? Never mind...
7
A shutdown would have meant he would have had to skip golfing in Florida. That takes precedence over any of his "policy initiatives." (I really think that's why.)
12
They can’t even do bullying right.
11
Maybe someone could just tell 45 (on Faux News) that the wall has not only been funded, but built! Then he could strut and crow and drop the subject.
5
Did the Great Negotiator just blink? Or was he telling another lie when he said he'd be proud to shut down the government?
I wish some White House journalist would ask him, "How's that taste this time, Trump?"
1
So much chaos, such little substance.
7
The optics of Trump golfing at Mar-A-Lago while thousands of federal employees aren't getting a paycheck is a non-starter. Remember the aerial photo of Gov. Chris Christie and family sitting on beach chairs at the closed Island Beach State Park when NJ had a government shutdown? It didn't go over very well for the governor.
30
@Dan
Sort of a lead balloon.....
2
Trump may be remembered as the President who retreated as often as he retweeted.
549
@Jay Orchard - Best comment of the day.
33
@Jay Orchard
Well said!
22
@Jay Orchard - Or, as Elmer Fudd would say, "He we-tweeted and wee-tweated..."
Elmer Fudd seems like a good cartoon mascot for Trump.
36
Welcome to Trump University, where our motto is to 'think big', scream and shout, throw a tantrum, fake it until you fail, go bankrupt and then go cook up a new cockeyed snake oil scheme to sell tomorrow.
This so-called President has to go.
44
Was anyone in doubt that trump would back down, especially after Miller went on TV Sunday & said it was going to happen?
trump is a coward & a fraud. He couldn't afford to own the shut down.
McConnell will help him get money from Medicare & Social Security to pay for the wall.
6
As Mr Kelly would say, “Trump is an empty barrel”
8
I can't wait for Trump's next book, "The Art of Capitulation".
14
Other funding sources for $5 billion, oh, would that be the Trump Foundation?
1
Sarah translation - At the end of the day, we don't want to shut down the government, we want to play golf at the taxpayers expense in Florida for the next 16 days.
18
Another Trump victory, Mexico agreed to pay for the wall!
4
According to trump's logic, the NAFTA deal savings will fund the wall. Does this mean that if I decided to not buy a Bentley I can use the savings to buy a Ferrari? Kudlow would probably agree that is sound economic advice.
9
He always backs down after putting himself in awkward or indefensible positions. If Republican legislators had any guts or brains they could control POTUS, but they are terrified of his "base". This emperor has no clothes, his enablers have no principles.
13
Sanders says there are other funding sources for Trump’s wall. I suppose Trump can ask Mexico again.
4
It is not surprising that trump folds like a wet blanket when confronted face to face. This is typical for a internet tough guy.
8
Thank you Pelosi!
I can hear the meetings.
Trump: They'll provide funding, or I won't sign it!
Advisors: But shutdowns are unpopular, we will have a lot of trouble.
Trump: No problem, I'll just tell all my voters that it's the Democrats fault.
Advisors: But you already told all of them that it would be your fault....
Trump: ...... .... . . ....... ... . ... ... . ...
14
Eyeball to Eyeball with Nancy Pelosi and Trump Blinked.
Are Trump's magical powers dwindling?
12
So much for sticking to your guns. A blustering Trump taken down a peg by Chuck & Nancy. Another blustery promise broken.
The clouds are gathering, my friends. This is going to be a perfect storm.
12
He’ll never settle over Trump University.
He’ll never settle over the Trump Foundation.
3
So much for the art of another deal. Bye bye wall.
6
The Art of the Deal. Stand up to the bully, he will back down.
10
The altruistic side of me thinks that he did this in the spirit of Christmas. He wanted the TSA agents, Secret Service, and Border Patrol, to be paid over Christmas, while they protect this country. The skeptic in me believes that he is caving because he does not want his golf vacation to be ruined with the poor optics of the Secret Service (unpaid) protecting him while he has his umpteenth golf vacation. Whichever is true, it is nice that we appear unlikely to have a possible government shutdown.
PS. Methinks the skeptic in me wins out….Bigly!
6
@azc As a former Fed, I want to share with you a little known fact of the "shut-down" game. Federal Employees ALWAYS get paid when the government "shuts down". Its like an extra vacation courtesy of the politicians.
The contractual employees get hosed, but the Feds get paid when whatever the issue du jour gets rectified and of course Congress pays themselves. The whole "shut-down" thing is a massive waste of time, trouble and tax dollars.
1
Looks like Trump backed down first in the game of Chicken with Pelosi. As Nancy said, “don’t (mis)characterize the strength I bring”.
13
Scorched earth political policy and “playing chicken” with a federal government shutdown is, on it’s face, an abject failure of leadership. Who would ever run a business or any effective organization with similarly juvenile tactics?
Are Republicans getting tired of all of this winning?
Shame on them for their complicit silence- voters will not soon forget their abdication of responsibility.
13
They want to shut down the border? That's probably troubling for all the communities along the border whose economies depend on that trade, not to mention how it would affect the rest of the country. We're talking millions of dollars per day.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-president-trumps-threat-to-close-the-u-s-mexico-border-would-cost/
4
He admitted to the world that he personally would close the Government if he didn't get his Wall when he met with Pelosi and Schumer. He said he would accept full personal responsibility. So much for keeping his word. Perhaps he will convince Mexico to pay as he had promised two years ago.
10
I’m looking through the Constitution to see if there is any provision that allows us to shut down the Administration ahead if the next election. We can do quite well without it for a while, being that we haven’t had a functioning administration for almost two years.
18
He’s got to back down, because a government shut down would interfere with his Florida golf plans.
By the way, he also has no detailed health insurance plan, just like he had no detailed proposal when the first ACA repeal effort failed.
Same story with tariffs
10
She (Sarah Sanders) said the administration has a “number of different funding sources we could use” to reach $5 billion
Maybe the Trump Charitable Foundation, Sarah. Make it quick before it is officially shutdown.
15
Mexico?
1
@Felix
Absolutely make Trump pay for it.
Trump's number one campaign promise which won him millions of votes was to make Mexico pay for the wall. (He lied folks)
If Mexico won't pony up, multi billionaire Trump must pay.
But first ask all the middle class Trump supporters in heartland if they are ready to allow Trump to cut their SS and Medicare payments so he can implement his dinosaur idea to build an ugly "14th century" wall thousands of miles along our border.
Better idea... Use Trump's new "Space Force" technology to secure our borders.
2
Trump blew his stack in that episode of Trump TV and went off the rails. Again.
Now he's faced with the optics of government employees working without pay while he lounges around on the golf course for 2 weeks.
It's all about golf. And himself.
12
So much for Stephen Miller's impassioned declarations on the White House standing firm!
9
One can only guess how many more times he'll change his mind about this and just about everything else.
4
I'm guessing Trump will quit.
The most important thing to him is MONEY.
This is a guy whose Trump Foundation charity gave the Boy Scouts $7 just at the time his son was enrolling in the Boy Scouts. What a cheapskate!
This is a guy whose dad funneled him hundreds of Millions in illegal gifts to skirt the inheritance tax.
Trump will quit because the most important thing is a big tax cut to the rich. Not just to corporations that create jobs, but to rich individuals. His base apparently is OK with this. A cut to inheritance taxes so he can give his kids all his money rather than give a part of his money back to the taxpayers whose big government subsidized a lot of his real estate developments.
The only justice in this is the the middle class Trump supporters will get exactly what they deserve- less Medicare, less Social Security, less government-built infrastructure, and in the end, less prosperity when our country's money is tied up in the bank accounts of its richest members.
9
When I went to visit Berlin in the 1980s, before the wall came down, I observed that the East Germans told their people that the wall was built to protect them. Things that make you go hmmm.
257
@New reader
I'm from Berlin and I know that a Wall won't stop anyone from trying to get around it -- it's more like things that make you go Ugh!
27
@New reader The Berlin wall not a border wall with a foreign vountry, it was an artificial border that separated the sams country in two smaller countries, one decided by the foreign powers that eon WW2. So not a good comparison.
1
@New reader - Remember when American presidents talked tough to Russian leaders, demanding that walls be torn down instead of built up?
23
But his henchman Stephen Miller said they would do ANYTHING to get the wall. Most of the country would do anything to get him and his crime cronies out of our government.
62
I won't be surprise if his base believes that the wall has been built already.
47
Some do.
5
"At the end of the day we don’t want to shut down the government, we want to shut down the border."
You wonder how long the Trump team spent working on this pearl of wisdom. I'll bet they had a team of writers pulling double shifts for this little gem. The same people are now trying to figure out what "different funding sources" could possibly mean. A funding source by any other name would smell as sweet? Trump's staff clearly didn't graduate Northwestern.
You'll also notice how Sarah Sanders is always the one to announce Trump's capitulations to the public. No Tweet storm this time. Trump is once again defeated.
31
But wait...one should credit the president which already built a wall between the rich and the poor or between hard line republicans and future generations with the tax cuts. A wall that will be hard to climb with higher interest rates and no new income.
7
Fantastic news. I have doubts that the government (made up of US citizens) is competent enough to protect the national sovereignty of US citizens. Now that the bureaucrats are out of the way the multinational corporate interests with their history of doing everything exactly right can step in and build a totally successful, huge, beautiful wall that is definitely necessary. They can charge admission fees to foreign nationals so that Mexico pays for it after all. We can get Disney to reveal how they manage lines of people waiting to get into Space Mountain and how they return lost children to their parents (something, again, our current "government" cannot accomplish). Didn't we put an egomaniac alleged businessman in charge so we could become a branded theme park that sells hats to the world?
14
Actually, to one commenter, the majority of Americans do NOT want The Wall. In fact, the nays are over 50%. That is not fake news, rather it is the fact of the matter. We have the resources right now to better protect our borders. We just need a functioning Congress to enact and strengthen what is already on the books. And that does NOT mean employing our military. But alas, with a president whose development is arrested and is still prone to temper tantrums like a spoiled child, and with an unethical and spineless GOP Senate, we find ourselves stuck in this present dismal paradigm. But there is a silver lining to our dark cloud: That is that - for now - Mr. Trump for reasons as of yet unknown is backing off from his threat of a shut-down. Let us not look a gift horse in the mouth.
5
Oppositional Defiant Disorder: ODD; Source- Mayo Clinic: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, lists criteria for diagnosing ODD.
Angry and irritable mood:
• Often and easily loses temper
• Is frequently touchy and easily annoyed by others
• Is often angry and resentful
Argumentative and defiant behavior:
• Often argues with adults or people in authority
• Often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults' requests or rules
• Often deliberately annoys or upsets people
• Often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior
Vindictiveness:
• Is often spiteful or vindictive
• Has shown spiteful or vindictive behavior at least twice in the past six months
ODD can vary in severity:
• Mild. Symptoms occur only in one setting, such as only at home, school, work or with peers.
• Moderate. Some symptoms occur in at least two settings.
• Severe. Some symptoms occur in three or more settings.
For some children, symptoms may first be seen only at home, but with time extend to other settings, such as school and with friends.
31
@Lenny
I have that diagnosis. Unless you can get a small loan of one million dollars from your father it's a real liability.
Way to go, dad.
7
New strategy, ruin the US economy, environment and increase the racism and no one will want to come in.
32
According to this article, "Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, said on Fox News that ... the Trump administration has a “number of different funding sources we could use” to reach the $5 billion price tag..."
In other words, cannibalize other, already established tax-payer funded federal programs: the NIH, NOAA, Department of Education, Social Security... For what benefit, other than stroking Trump's ego?
9
The obvious is becoming clearer to the Trump kakistocracy that their direction is crooked and ill formed in its goals and aspirations. This is surrender by any description to the realities of their government’s impending collapse.
4
Score one for Team Nancy. And the game is just beginning!
19
Trump is fighting for the protection of the American people. Schumer and Pelosi are fighting for illegal immigration.
@P McGrath
Nobody wants illegal immigration. How to stop or significantly reduce it with minimal interference to the large scale legitimate movement of people and goods across the border is a matter for debate. Americans living by the border also need access to water in the Rio Grande; For example, a wall would prevent ranchers from watering their stock. The land to build it on would have to be confiscated by the state through law of eminent domain. Republican members of the House of Representatives from border districts are anti-wall. They understand there are more effective ways to spend the money on border security.
Trump is turning this into a simple-minded political stunt in order to harvest your vote. He has no interest in real security.
10
@P McGrath
"Isn't it pretty to think so?"
2
@P McGrath. Good one!
1
Closing the border without shutting down the government is easy. Just have Mexico pay for the wall, like Trump and his supporters chanted, while holding up their "Promises made; promises kept" signs.
7
I guess the Christmas message provided some terrible optics. Amazing that Trump would pay any attention to reality, but even he couldn't think this would play well for him.
Speaking of Christmas, the real PC police are the victim blaming hypocrites who think saluting the flag and saying the words are more important that living as a true patriot and an admirer of Christ's message at this season, and money should be funneled to the top rather than helping hardworking people make a living wage.
18
I am all for a prolonged shutdown of (only!) the part of the Federal Government that is located at a well-known address on Pennsylvania Avenue in DC. Unfortunately, that part of the government just won't shut down or at least shut up.
84
When he found out Mueller would still investigate even if he shut down the government he gave up?
24
@Covert Brilliant. I really do think he believed that shutting the government down would shut down Mueller. What a knucklehead.
2
If Mr. Trump and his political base want to build a wall on the southern border of the USA so much, let Mr. Trump pay for it himself. Five billion $ should be nothing for someone who talks about how wealthy he is. It will be an enduring memorial of Mr. Trump's opposition to immigration and freedom from oppression. It will be a symbol opposite to the Statue of Liberty and befitting the legacy of Mr. Trump and his family.
50
The only legitimate source for funding the wall is the Mexican government. That was what the President promised and that is the only acceptable resolution. Make the deal as promised Mr. President or drop the idea of the wall.
50
But the murderers, and rapists, and drug dealers, and all the disease!!!!
4
@Bill
maybe he should run for Mexican president, but chances are he'd be facing a wall of opposition in Mexico.
3
@Mark
Setting: Oval Office,
Participants: Congresswoman Pelosi, Senator Schumer, POTUS and sundry camera men and helpers.
POTUS holding card. "I have data."
Pelosi "Your data is false."
POTUS *silence*
2
Trump built a wall between himself and his own party when he said he would be proud to shut down the government.
Game, set, match, and self inflicted.
Pelosi is right, the wall is just symbolic of Trumps edifice complex.
60
Let's hope he doesn't draw from the $12 billion he is using to subsidize his constituents with farm subsidies to replace the lost revenue from his trade wars.
11
Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, said on Fox News that because the Trump administration has a “number of different funding sources we could use”
********
She means Mexico, right? Because her boss, Mr. Trump, promised that Mexico would pay for the wall.
129
It’s got to be Mexico or nothing. My guess is, it will be nothing.
10
Gee Ms. Sanders, what does C.A.V.E. spell?
24
Big surprise he's backing down on wall funding. Just like he backed down on Mexico paying for it in the first place. He'll keep backing down until he's out of office and his base will conveniently forget his backpedaling.
The real concern here is that the possibility of a wall on the southern border has now been believably proposed. It has stirred the desire for such in our most xenophobic corners, leaving future conservatives no choice but to take a pro stance on the issue and campaign on a platform including an idiotic, ill-conceived, ineffectual border wall. Even if he never gets it built or funded, this troubling proposition will not disappear with 45. We'll be arguing with each other about it for the next 50 years.
233
@Amanda You are completely correct. We went from an idea so silly it was a plot device on Arrested Development to something real politicians want to do in the space of one presidential campaign.
24
@Amanda
I hope he'll keep backing down, Amanda. Down the back stairs and right out the back door of the White House.
22
@Amanda
There will never be a wall, 80% of us are against it. It will become a late night comedy reference to the buffoon who proposed it.
23
Hopefully the first of many times that Speaker Pelosi will outfox Trump. So glad we could see it on TV. There was so much negativity around her, and now that we have seen her in action nothing but admiration.
Trump thought he had ten minutes where he showed hew much he supported "border security". A total fail when he gave up on it all a few days later. Wishing him two years of total misery ahead, politically and personally. If he doesn't quit first.
268
@Jerry S Yeah, trump thought he could publicly shame the two Democrat leaders into doing what he wanted. What a devious buffoon.
2
Why all the jeering at him for showing good judgment in this matter?
5
@mdieri: Because Mr Trump is not showing good judgment in this matter. The Wall, if it will ever be erected, will not stem unscreened immigration or imported contraband. The Wall is nothing more than an empty symbol, a sop to the conservative base, without thinking through what effect it will have on American commerce and society, which is nothing. Empty thinking, period.
American taxes should pay for programs that are actually effective and beneficial, not window dressing. But Trump after all is a TV performer, that is all he understands: images.
32
@mdieri
Because he was the one who made it an issue in the first place.
29
@mdieri
Could we have a definition of "good judgment" as applied to Donald Trump? He's like an abusive spouse who threatens to kill his wife for disobeying his "orders," and then expects praise when he doesn't follow through.
19
as usual mr. tough guy folds
46
Trump is a con man; not a deal maker. Weak; petty and cruel.No money for the wall; not now; not ever. Russians put Trump in office; Dems will take him out. Ray Sipe
166
Or perhaps someone finally handed him the memo that says the majority of Americans do not want their hard-earned tax dollars spent on his stupid wall, that has all along been a rancid piece of red meat flung about to stir up support from his hard-core racist base.
76
Weak.
14
See, there is the problem. The United States, as a Christian nation, and the Last, Best Hope for Mankind, should have an open boarder through which pilgrims, like our ancestors of old, seeking a better life, can be admitted and welcomed with open arms.
I call on all my fellow Evangelical Christians to tell Mr. Trump to abandon his wall, and replace boarder security agents with resettlement case managers to facilitate a smooth transition into our great society.
It is the only Christian thing to do.
29
@Neil
While I agree with the sentiment of your comment I must point out that the United States is not a Christian nation. We are a secular nation that has no official religion.
People of all faiths can and will welcome immigrants with open arms.
13
I laughed out loud when I read this headline. Good! And now the "Foundation", ie: piggy bank, is shutting down? Another great piece of news. Keep it coming. It's a great day for this country.
122
Maybe Xi Jinping would release the hostages he took in retaliation for Meng Wanzhou's arrest if Trump agreed to buy a much cheaper wall made in China. After all, the Chinese have been in the wall business for 3,000 years. Admittedly, there is one possible flaw. The Chinese might leave secret openings in the wall they could exploit later on.
15
Congrats to the Democratic leadership for standing up to Trump. like all bullies, he folds his cards after he receives resistance. I also think that he couldn't blame the shut down on someone else like Michael Cohen or Robert Mueller. It is a good day for America!
70
He realized it was a bad idea not to pay the Secret Service agents guarding him in Florida.
70
So the Dems called the bully's bluff!
28
Apparently even Trump can feel some shame over the spectacle of him golfing during a two week holiday while being protected by Secret Service agents who were not getting paid and had no way of knowing when they would see another paycheck. Well, okay, Trump probably did not care about that at all, but the prospect of the news media and twitterverse pointing out how closely he resembles the Scrooge character in last week's SNL skit may have gotten to him.
25
I think Trump is beginning to realize what the majority of Americans and in fact the entire world already know: He's a complete fraud and a total failure. If Trump is as wealthy as he asserts and cares so much about Americans' safety and security as he professes, he can write a check for the wall himself. Don't hold your breath.
26
Another loss for the bankrupt king
18
Evolution of a lie:
“If we don’t get what we want … I am proud to shut down the government for border security, Chuck.” D.Trump
“At the end of the day we don’t want to shut down the government, we want to shut down the border.” S.Sanders
"[...] alternative facts [...]" K. Conway
""Alternative facts aren't facts, they are falsehoods." C.Todd
25
Maybe Russia will pay for Trumps wall.
17
So Trump can find $5 billion just lying around somewhere? There must be a lot of loose change under the White House sofa cushions.
18
How dare the president threaten to shut down the US Government! Does anyone feel that this president has lost all reason? Is the president supposed to work for the "People" not threaten them! This president is a disgrace...
591
@Ron
Well apparently you’ve been asleep for a long while.
Politicians do not do the work of the “People” unless it is a byproduct of getting themselves re-elected.
However, this issue is ignored when members of your own party engage in self enrichment.
It’s a corrupt system through and through. And the bubbles we live in will keep it that way.
13
Actually, it's about time that someone take a stand on issues. The $5 Billion... Even if it was $20 Billion is a joke amount required to secure us from economic damage from illegals and beyond this, social damage done to this country as well.
Shut it down if needed. I would consider firing 20% of useless government types, pay for many things, including our countries debt these inept politicians have amassed over the years to pay off voters with "free stuff".
3
@Ron
Since the GOP and this Trump base believe they have elected a king they keep their mouths shut. Orrin Hatch stated he didn't care. So the madness keeps going on and on. One little girl dead, other children in cages, Trump administrations' going to jail.
Since Orrin Hach is going off into the retirement sunset maybe he might tell his replacement Mitt Romney that it is his political job to care about Democracy and the country since it is apparent he never did. Maybe Mitt will remind him that he works for the American people and no one expects him to do anything anymore but he is not allowed to harm the American people by being evil and stupid.
18
Evidently, someone convinced the president that playing golf and eating steaks while staying at his club in Florida while the government was shut down was not good optics for his base. So rather giving up golf, steak and Florida, he gave up his wall (for now).
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@Paul R That sounds about right to me.
10
Trump Foundation funds go to Wall Fund?
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Better still, let the Saudis fund the wall.
2
As the stock market continues in free fall, Trump exhibits a modicum of concern by backing off his shutdown threat. How will he spin this? I'd wager he's concocting one doozy of a fairy tale!
23
So much (for) winning.
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Well, one thing is for sure: Sarah Huckleberry only lies when she's awake.
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@george eliot
The all encompassing breadth of her prevarications must merit a Guinness book of records mention. Do you think that if she was connected to one of those functional MRIs that her brain would show a lot of activity as she concocts answers or absolutely none - when she speaks for the Don?
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@george eliot You don't think she sometimes talks in her sleep?
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I guess the open borders crowd is winning.
2
@M
It would be nice if we used that money for building affordable housing, repairing bridges, roads and take care of the falling down structures in our cities. Mass transit up grades.
Trump has had more than one opportunity to address the border issue yet he refuses to think and work with people who might be so much smarter than he is. Eve his own GOP want to know what he wants.
Well the base will be happy when the government is shut down because they will feel that they have once again won a battle and lost the war.
11
@M 1) there is no open borders crowd, just a sensible and compassionate immigration reform crowd
2) illegal immigration is down, immigrant crime is down, and most experts (including republicans) say a wall is not the right way to increase border security, for a number of reasons. why go on about a wall?
11
@M To say open borders are the only alternative is a disingenuous comment, the Democrats want intelligent, efficient and sensible border security, not a phallic symbol.
We would do better to screen electronically every auto that crosses the border instead of the few that are done today. That would help uncover tons of drugs and hidden compartments.
Follow Nancy, she knows what she is doing. She is the leader we need.
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Trump's next book - "The Art of the Retreat."
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So Trump may just shut down the entire border instead.
6
I thought Mexico was paying for this. I guess President Trump is a loser that can't negotiate a deal. Sad!
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@Dave hey Dave it’s ok you don’t have to guess!
3
@Dave
Trump also thought Cohen was paying his mistresses...
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Three cheers for Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer! Now, let’s get ready for the spin from the WH. Sarah, Kellieanne (or however it’s spelled), Stephen and the rest of the gang will be hitting the so-called fake news outlets with the bilge.
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Big bad wolf huffs and puffs
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What a blow hard Trump is.
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@TLR
Yep. Reminds me of Rex Ryan (the erstwhile so-called NFL coach).
At times it can be hard to get into President Trump's head. But what may be going on here is he feels he got his mileage out of the continuing resolution issue. He used it to once again market his wall plus send out a feel-good to his supporters. And now he's now backing off because he can see he's running a risk that his bullying with the threat of a veto could backfire, and he might bring about his worst nightmare—that at least some of the Republicans in Congress will finally revolt against his tyranny.
They could have joined with the Democrats to pass the continuing resolution. Then, they would have let him veto it if he saw fit, and then joined again with the Democrats to override his veto.
What would be so scary about this for the President is that once these Republican had thrown off their shackles they might find their new-found freedom liberating and craft a veto-proof majority with the Democrats to finally start getting the business of the country done. Of course, with a Democratic House coming into power in a few weeks all President Trump has left to keep order is the threat of vetoes. So he can’t allow the congressmen and women of both parties to get the feel of how wonderful life could be if they had the power to simply end-run him.
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@Jerry Schulz You're way too rationale, Jerry. Spare yourself the pain of trying to get into Trump's head. Try studying astronomy or something else that's complicated but meaningful.
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@Jerry Schulz
That's some great forward thinking, and under a normal politician, this would make sense. The problem is, there's been now showing that Trump is capable of considering long-term consequences to his actions. Just look at his reactions to any of his associates being placed under criminal scrutiny. Immediate reaction on Twitter rather than careful reflection.
“At the end of the day we don’t want to shut down the government, we want to shut down the border,” she said.
And there we have it, exactly what this administration really wants to do, in plain, unvarnished language. For once SHS actually tells the truth.
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Why am I not surprised that Trump will attempt to misappropriate funds to get his way. Robbing Peter to pay Paul is standard accounting practice for Trump Inc.
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Enough with this. The wall was never anything more than an absurd red-meat fantasy thrown out there by Trump and lapped up by his false-information followers.
How about focusing on real problems requiring real leadership instead, like producing that great, beautiful alternative to the ACA now that some judge has declared it unconstitutional and thrown millions of people's health coverage into doubt. Right, because that would take intelligence and effort. What was I thinking.
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@Pat
The problem with an new healthcare alternative is that the math doesn't come even close to working. Simple math.
Requiring lots and lots of healthy people to pay for health insurance put enough money into the system to expand coverage to more people and cover to guarantee coverage of pre-existing conditions. To expand coverage and cover pre-existing conditions without that would require either massive premium increases or a massive government subsidy. Neither will be politically acceptable, so there is no great beautiful alternative possible, mathematically speaking.
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@Will Hogan
Every other civilized nation on earth has figured it out and made it work.
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Over at WaPo, people are gloating and saying that Individual-1 doesn't HAVE other sources to begin with. (Clearly they don't have Mexico—that would imply he tells the truth once in a while!) But I fear Sarah Hucksterly is actually right: we've already seen him funnel FEMA money to immigrant prisons, and who would notice him swipe a few billion from all that money in the NDAA to fund his National Bigotry Monument? (GOP "small government", folks!)
Think about how long it took us to notice his "foundation" fraud, and how long it's STILL taking actual Americans to find and save all the kidnapped kids, such that we can even psychologically save them anymore. By the time we find what he stole from where, the Monument will already be up.
All that the NBM will do is wall his followers off from reality, our country off from prosperity, and exactly no one off our border. All that stealing American TAXPAYER money to fund such Republican racism will do is destroy any of our actual hope of being great again.
13
Empty GOP policies, empty headed President.
The Dems are going to ride this horse for the next 16 months all the way into a Senate majority and new president in 2020.
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I shudder to think of what the “number of different funding sources we could use” might include.
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@BKLYNJ
Medicare and Social Security
3
@BKLYNJ
ACA, Medicare, Medicade, Social Security. You know. Anything that "We the (poor) People" may need to help us get by in this awful time of an awful administration. This guy is so crooked, he can't see straight!
Fight on!!!!
6
Trump backed down because the GOP refuses to back him up, or even show up, for the vote.
In the meantime, Trump is leaving on vacation to spend millions more taxpayer dollars on 16 days of golf - that's on top of the 154 days he has already spent on the golf course in less than two years in office - at a cost of 84 million taxpayer dollars. Shut down Trump golf!
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@common sense advocate And newbie Justice Kavanaugh says you can't charge a sitting President with a crime because he doesn't have time to spend on his legal defense. Wouldn't want to cut into Tump's golf time or his cable news time, now would we?
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Did anyone believe for a minute that the government would shut down a few days before Christmas?
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@MIKEinNYC Why does that surprise you? Many of us didn't believe that 60+ million of our fellow citizens would vote for an unqualified idiot over one of the most qualified people who ever ran for the presidency.
15
...and what might these "different funding sources" be? Social Security funds? The VA? Department of Transportation, perhaps? Pare down school lunches? Perhaps gut the EPA even more than you have?
No wall.
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Thank goodness Trump's spinelessness trumps his unprincipled capriciousness.
13
Pelosi had it right: Trump didn't have the votes.
Big hat, no cattle.
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Yeah, right. Where is the 5 billion? In small bills under the seat cushions? The only question is how much of this Sarah Sanders has told Trump. Now how even the White House staff is treating our president like a 3 year old is in full public view.
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The only reason for backing down was a place called Mar-a-Lago. She was a callin'...
13
There are not a “number of different funding sources we could use” . You have to use federal funding as budgeted buy congress. What clowns are running this administration?
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I thought trump was proud to shut the government down! I guess he was just 'tired of all the winning' and forfeited this match to Schumer and Pelosi.
trump, it's a taste of things to come.
13
Big tough guy isn’t so tough after all.
8
I guess not paying all the people who were deployed for the fake emergency at the border while playing golf in FL is more damaging to his popularity than shooting someone on 5th Ave. & even the stable genius can see that.
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Can't this unaccomplished liar think up a better one? Is she truly thinking they will defund one program to fund the wall? Glad to see her go.
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The only reason he's backing down is because his protection will not receive a paycheck if he decides t shut down and head for the links. He hates being embarrassed.
6
Trump- 0 Pelosi- 1
Trump blinked! The lesson here is that intimidation doesn't work if the victim fights back.
Trump, really shot himself in the foot this time. He said he would be happy to own the shutdown. Pelosi and Schumer said great, own it.
Apparently, Trump just changed his mind and took his policy back to the store. I wish we could get a refund on him.
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Does that "number of different funding sources we could use” include funds from Mexico to cover the entire cost? No? You mean to tell me this White House is full of liars? I don't believe it.
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Well of course the president is backing down from his ridiculous wall. He's not committed to any policy except self preservation. If he's smart he'll watch less fox 'news' and spend a little more time planning his exit strategy.
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Hmmm...where is the finesse of the world famous "Deal Maker" practicing his art? This nonsense doesn't fly with thinking adults.
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The Art of the Deal is not about art......
13
At the end of the day most Americans don't want to shut down the government, they want to shut up the President.
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@Rick Gage lock him up somewhere away from harm ?
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@Rick Gage
Donald Trump won the votes of 63 million Americans including 58% of white people aka 62% of white men and 54 % of white women. About 85% of Republicans still support Trump.
There is no shutdown the government nor shut up the President of the United States clause in our Constitution.
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@Blackmamba: if numbers like these matter to you, remember that 66 million Americans voted for Clinton.
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The President, like bullies on the playground, will back off if enough people stand up to him. Hurray for those people, whomever they are!
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@Sledge
Just call "them" Nancy.
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