Article snippet: The TAKE with Rick Klein A shutdown without a clear purpose or direction might end up taking things backwards. The stop-and-start negotiations – if that’s what they should be called – that dotted the weekend could yet yield a deal that puts the federal government’s lights back on soon. But they would be illuminating the same problems that led to this moment. It’s possible if not probable that lawmakers emerge from this fight even more dug in on party lines. No one thinks they are losing, because everyone seems to think they are winning the broader arguments to a public that may judge all involved harshly. A temporary spending deal could mark a slight improvement to the overall political landscape. But if the shutdown lingers further into the work week, the divisions ahead could wind up looking far worse. President Donald Trump was supposed to be a different kind of leader, and a dealmaker to boot. This shutdown has tethered the Republican Party closer to him – and to his 36 percent approval rating, in the new ABC News/Washington Post poll. The RUNDOWN with MaryAlice Parks There’s been an awful lot of talk about which party will bear the brunt of the blame for this shutdown, when in fact it’s likely anyone associated with Washington will lose big time. These showdowns and late-night, post-deadline dealings reinforce frustrations voters already have about elected officials. It is easy to see how last week could inspire a desire for anyone new. Ove... Link to the full article to read more