How could the GOP have went in "for the kill?" Your strategery assumes the GOP would have won in a government shutdown. Please explain how that happens? The Democrats wanted this shutdown soap opera drama because it distracts from addressing the real issues. They start a big hissy fight over a few billions when we need to be discussing slashing trillions. GOP won. Dems lost.
This will never stop. You need to press them...HARD! Choking for $38B will never get you to $T's. At some point you have to go all the way if you ever want to reach the goal.