The great negotiator?

Here's what he should have done...

Call a meeting with himself, Schumer, Pelosi, McConnell and Ryan.

Then, he should have said...here is what I want. I want you to work toward these goals. Work toward them. Make your best honest effort. If you only almost get there, we will meet again. At that point, tell me what the sticking points are, and we will negotiate from there. If you cannot get your senators/representatives to accept your plan, come back here and tell me, and I will help you. I will not accept a shutdown, so we will make sure that doesn't happen. Am I being understood? Whatever the sticking points are, we will negotiate them away, but I need you to make your best effort. I am being very clear on where we should start. I am being very clear on what I want, so no excuses.

That's what a good negotiator does.