I read the Politico Playbook newsletter so you don't have to:

Although elected as a Republican last year, Mr. Trump has shown in the nearly eight months in office that he is, in many ways, the first independent to hold the presidency since the advent of the current two-party system around the time of the Civil War.

Because the Washington Consensus says so.

None of which means that Mr. Trump has suddenly transformed himself into a center-hugging moderate. More situational than ideological -- critics would say opportunist -- Mr. Trump adjusts to the moment, and his temporary alignment with Democrats could easily unravel tomorrow.

File that under No shit Sherlock?

Let's also take a deep breathe and recognize that Trump didn't cut some transformative deal for the history books. He extended the debt limit and government funding by three months and agreed to billions to aid hurricane victims. Barack Obama worked with Republicans to slash government spending. Trump didn't do anything like that.(emphasis added)

Yep. Obama was terrific at slashing guvmint spending for poor people and budget busting military spending just like Reagan!

In agreeing to tie Harvey aid to a three-month extension of the debt ceiling and government funding, Trump burned the people who are ostensibly his allies. The president was an unpredictable - and, some would say, untrustworthy -- negotiating partner with not only congressional Republicans but also with his Cabinet members and top aides. Trump saw a deal that he thought was good for him -- and he seized it.

How's that swamp draining thingie working out? Pretty much like Hope and Change.