Wonkblog Analysis - Trump is throwing himself into the Democrats trap

[jpak]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/03/29/trump-is-throwing-himself-into-the-democrats-trap/?utm_term=.bdee2e1e2424

President Trump's biggest weakness is that he doesn't know how to make deals.

That, as Business Insider's Josh Barro points out, seems to suggest a deep unfamiliarity with the urtext of the subject, “The Art of the Deal.” Trump should know that “the worst thing you can possibly do in a deal is seem desperate to make it.” But that's precisely what he has done, first with health care and now with infrastructure.

Indeed, the latest reports are that Trump is hoping to use the prospect of a big infrastructure package to woo Democrats to his side on tax reform, and, in the process, cut the recalcitrantly right-wing House Freedom Caucus out of any negotiations. He apparently doesn't want to deal with them anymore after they played a leading role in scuttling Trumpcare.

There's only one flaw in this plan. It's called reality.

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[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Trumps skill is not dealmaking with powerful counterparts. It is duping gullible victims.

David Frum tweet:  ? "Regular reminder that Donald Trump’s core competency is not dealmaking with powerful counter-parties. It is duping gullible victims."

[ProfessorGAC]

3. And That Skill Is Far Easier To Employ. . .

. . .when you start out with a 9 digit net worth.

[Cha]

2. KICK