[Dr. Sivana]

I’m with you, but I believe Trump has already crumbled on this one. Am I wrong?

I think you are. I was a Trump skeptic, but by holding his fire on his signature policy, he looks reasonable and cooperative. He has several sets congressional sets of opponents, ALL the Democrats, a handful of Republicans who will openly oppose him at will (McCain, Graham, Collins) and quiet opponents who don't want their fingerprints on overt opposition.

WHEN the Congress fails again, then he lowers the boom. He will have allies in Congress (Cruz [politics makes strange bedfellows] in the Senate, and a handful of Freedom Caucers in the House). Talk radio and social media will be activated, and the lilly livered play ball. If the Dems block it in the Senate, then he has to play it differently, but the closer it gets to elections 2018 the stronger his nad gets. IT DOES NOT MATTER what your approval numbers are in the first or even early second year of your presidency, ask George Herbert Walker Bush about that! Bannon and Conway know the score well. Pence has prudence. I don't see the Kushners breaking TRump on this, but he will continue to keeop himself in a position to negotiate.

[TheDon]

The 2018 election should be quite interesting. Voters will have the opportunity to help drain the swamp of the GOPe. It will be interesting to see how Trump plays it.

[Lagmeister]

Well, the closer to election time the more important are the checks from the globalist masters. Don’t tell me Trump’s numbers will not be down as a result of not getting signature issues - so, hence his leverage will be down also. The best shot of getting what you want done is right after an election, not right before one.