With the White House facing deadlines for raising the debt limit and funding the government by the end of the month, Donald Trump surprised and angered Republicans by cutting a deal with the Democratic leadership on the Hill that would extend the debt ceiling and fund government operations through December 15. Trump also attached a sweetener: aid to Texas for hurricane Harvey relief that few politicians are likely to vote against. Politico: Not 24 hours later, the president cut a deal with Democrats on a short-term debt ceiling increase opposed by McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan. Just Wednesday morning, in fact, Ryan had scoffed at the Democratic offer that Trump accepted minutes later. In the aftermath, Republicans seethed privately and distanced themselves publicly from the deal. They were left to hope that Trump's collaboration with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was a temporary dalliance, and not the new MO for...(Read Full Post)