Trump is actually a bad spin doctor, and we lucked out

[Laura PourMeADrink]

Just read that he's mad about the deal.

He could have easily spun it the other way. He could have taken what will be givenand said "this is great, we can start building new wall!" Barrier, steel slat, whatever. " I won!"

Yet instead, he chose the stupid route, for him that is.

[jonjones229]

1. I dont really like Donald Trump

He is ruining the country in my opinion

[wryter2000]

3. Welcome to DU

Not like him? I proclaim you the DU master of understatement.

[Funtatlaguy]

6. That's a good start. Let all of us here get you to the level

of hating him with every fiber of your being.

[smirkymonkey]

10. *snort*

Well played Funtatlaguy!

[wryter2000]

2. Strategically, that might work to our advantage

But what about all the people who will suffer in another shut-down? I'm not even mentioning more damage to the Joshua trees.

[struggle4progress]

4. Sees wall as monument to himself

Analysis by Gloria Borger, CNN Chief Political Analyst
Updated 12:27 PM ET, Tue January 22, 2019

... Consider this from Trump during the campaign in 2015, explaining the rationale for his favorite edifice:

"What I do best in life, I build. ... I want it to be so beautiful because maybe someday they'll call it 'The Trump Wall.' Maybe. If they call this 'The Trump Wall,' it has to be beautiful."

There you go. The wall, for the President, is a monument. To himself. A visible legacy of his achievement; an example of what he considers himself best at: building and branding. It's not like tax reform or trade policy. It's actually concrete (or slats) and there for all the world to see as a Trump achievement. Even when he leaves the Oval Office. And way beyond.

If he could put his name on it in gold filigree, he would ...

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/22/politics/president-trump-border-wall-symbol-monument-legacy/index.html

[erpowers]

5. Ann Coulter

You may be right that he is a bad spin doctor. However, his reaction may be due to Ann Coulter's reaction. The real problem may be that Donald Trump does not have any real principles. The first shutdown was the result of Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, and Rush Limbaugh criticizing the deal. Before those criticisms Trump was supposedly ready to sign the deal. Maybe if Trump actually had principles he would be better able to spin this deal.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

7. Good point... but how does mimicking Ann get

him anything. She will know he didn't get the prize eventually. She wanted him to win and she's not a moron. Maybe he's just stalling cuz he's scared..

[Garrett78]

8. He's now going with "Finish the Wall," which will work on Cult45.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

9. Absolutely. I think I figured out that he is referring

To whatever fence is out there. I'm glad because I thought he had dipped into the certifiably insane category.

I know it's not popular to say this, of course. But have been listening to the news and and they keep saying that Trump had zero leverage. So I'm not quite understanding why we moved from fixing existing fence to building new fence. Plus, the bed deal instead of getting fewer we are getting more.

Not trying to cast shade just don't understand. unless it was for the greater good of reopening the government.

[smirkymonkey]

11. He chose the stupid route because he's a stupid guy.

He operates entirely on impulse. There is no such thing as strategic thinking with this dolt.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

12. May not be "strategic" in a general sense, but he is strategic when protecting his

own interests, and ego. He has already figured that out and is trying to spin everything.

Hell, SM, it is all like we are trying to figure out a crazy individual.

all I know is that they say he had zero leverage in negotiations, so how did we end up giving him NEW money for "wall"? Just to keep govt open? if yes, why aren't we saying that?