Re: A very odd way of working...
The Clinton and Obama shutdowns were caused by Republican controlled Congresses that refused to pass any type of budgets. In December, the Republicans and Democrats voted overwhelmingly for a deal they had made with the President for security funding. Then the far far far right kooks (Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh) had a tizzy fit and scared the President into backing out of the deal. He then started demanding the wall, and not even all Republicans in Congress think it is a good idea, base or no base.
The great deal maker is also the great deal breaker, and a political wimp that can't stand up to Rush.