I think he may be, for now.
His approval rating is up. Our generic ballot advantage is dwindling. The tax bill is becoming more popular as people see the paychecks grow slightly. People aren’t thinking about the long-term consequences.
The shutdown hurt us. Americans like DACA but they are not willing to shut the government down to help the Dreamers. Most of the passion on this issue is with the opposition side, unfortunately, though they are a minority.
I would take Trump’s “compromise” on DACA. At least they would be made legal. We can always claw back Wall funding later, and increase legal immigration levels back up again.
Perhaps we will have more leverage for the debt ceiling next month. Personally, I think Dems should vote against it — as long as they can do that without taking the blame. Which means we can only do so if a large number of GOPers also vote no.
I think we can still retake congress. Things change quickly in politics. But Trump is proving to be shrewder than I thought he would be.
Also, pray for more indictments!