Trump caved in to Pelosi. Pathetic.

My guess is that for now, Trump will give up, and will make a statement along the lines of "It's hurting our country to keep the government shut down. Pelosi does not want us to secure the border, and so we must choose between hurting the country with the continuing shutdown, or hurting the country by allowing dangerous criminals into the country. For now we will agree to re-open the government even thought it will mean that dangerous criminals can freely enter the country, but do not forget why they continue to enter. Every crime that could have been prevented by keeping criminals out is her legacy." Then, I expect him to wait for a few serious crimes to be committed by immigrants, and, each time they occur, he will remind the country that they are her fault. Then, if they happen with some regularity, he will declare his emergency.

No matter personal opinions on specific issues, I wonder how many people watch this spectacle and think, "dysfunctional royal court".

I was watching Fox news the other day and according to a poll, 57% of the people polled favor Trumps side. Watched MSNBC a little while later and they were touting Trumps approval rating below 40%. I suspect both polls are right. Both sides cherry picked which poll to represent.

Trump is winning this. Federal government employees are overwhelmingly democrats. So he'll lose the votes of furloughed employees that he had no chance of getting any way. While those unaffected love the shutdown. They only see benefits.

Trump didn't cave. Now he can celebrate his victory and rub it in with Pelosi and Pence sitting behind them. We are too used to politicians folding - oh I mean GOP Cuckservatives. Irresistable force v.s. Immovable object.

Wasn't there something called a fireplace chat once? I seem to remember that people loved them--much more popular than the over-staged pompous State of the Union speech to a bunch of unpopular congresspeople.

Obama's DACA EO has already been found to be "Constitutional" - even though it ignores existing federal laws, makes up news "laws" that are enforcable and appropriates funding.

The SCOTUS loved it when a far left president was in power.

Now eat your peas.

++++

"Trump can go nuclear and declare a national emergency which may not hold muster with the Supreme Court.

Number 6 - Trump will continue to deny Pelosi and democrats various congressional 'privileges' and spending. Eventually it forces Pelosi to 'negotiate'.

Just wondering. Pelosi just killed a 100 year tradition. And remember, like Sen Reid’s nuclear option, it is a weapon that can be later used against your democrats.

Mish - is that an advantage in your tennis game?

Regarding 2020, I think the best President Trump can do at this time is to abide by his major campaign promises. He has already signed a bill that pays furloughed employees for the shutdown after all this ends. Everyone going without pay is going to get a big fat check for at least one month’s salary when it’s over. The big check will numb the pain and, except for temporary inconvenience, people who depend on that are going to be okay (media hysteria notwithstanding). He cannot concede on the wall after making it into such a key part of his campaign. If he does, it will be “Read my lips: no new taxes.” all over again.

"...SOTU address that was 100% guaranteed to be about the need for a wall."

100% chance he would mention the wall but only for 10% of the speech.

Pelosi will be eventually forced to cave in by fellow democrats. Trump has already offered compromise proposals, including an offer to pay employees during the shutdown - which dems rejected.

The people who are negatively affected by the shutdown are Pelosi's fellow democrats, in Congress and on main street. The rest hardly care. Right now, I am visiting my Dad in the DC area and the only effect I've noticed is that C&O Canal park is closed meaning you have to park outside and walk in. There's also a little less traffic on the road. The longer the shutdown goes on, the more people will realize how little they need government.

Trump will get his wall, for better or for worse - probably the latter.

Looking forward to Mish's follow-up blog when he admits he was completely wrong.

Where is the "DISlike" vote on some of these comments?