National Emergency now, is it? Yes it is to Trump. My take on the last 2 weeks.
As I have posted before - he backed himself into a corner and knows this is it
He's negotiating against himself at this point. It's gone from wall/Mexico to USMC (formerly NAFTA) will pay for it to steel slats to "years" (trying to strongarm with time) to this emergency thing today. He - the White House - thinks or knows that at this point he HAS to win this. He has not choice buuuut as I said he is negotiating with himself. Nancy and Chuck are just sitting there letting him take credit for the shutdown and letting him argue/counteroffer with himself.
No empathy of course but you are seeing a self caged animal scratching and clawing to the point of self abuse.
My post from Dec. 23rd
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211583123
Then Mara Liasson was on. Granted some of this comes from the White House but she made two interesting points:
1. The administration doesn't think Trump will suffer any politic fallout from the shutdown.
and then this...
2. For his base the wall is is vital and they take it very literally. According to her sources in the White House/Trumpians they don't think he can get re-elected if he doesn't get the wall.