Trump Backs the Democrats’ Debt Limit

In what had to be Mitch McConnell’s and Paul Ryan’s worst Trump experience – and there have been numerous low points – they had to sit and listen as President Trump, after some discussion, decided to support Chuck Schumer’s and Nancy Pelosi’s three-month debt ceiling extension with hurricane funding and a continuing resolution.

Republicans felt blindsided by a bad deal, but Trump was joyous over having struck a deal and effusive in his praise of the two Democrats without mentioning the Republican leadership.

President Donald Trump speaks to (L to R) Senate Majority Leader Mitch
McConnell, Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority
Leader Nancy Pelosi in the Oval Office, Sept. 6, 2017 | Evan Vucci/AP

It demonstrates:

• Trump is desperate for some legislative action that will be judged as progress.
• He has no rapport with the Republican Hill leadership. In fact, tweaking them is pleasant and fires up the base
• Republicans’ internal fights over entitlements, debt and deficits are of little interest to him. He wanted health care as an accomplishment and really believes tax cuts will be a legacy item, but the fiscal issues are inside baseball.
• The optics was perfect for Trump. He’s in the Oval Office (his studio), the parties are asking for his decision and he pulls a surprise. Top ratings.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (L) and President Donald
 Trump in the Oval Office, Sept. 6, 2017 | Alex Wong/Getty Images

Expect more effort to strike bargains with Democrats if Republicans can’t settle their differences and unite behind a position.