I do not think they are dumbasses. They understand very well that “pumping the brakes” can start negotiations with people who have infinite deep pockets and are willing to let them have a little extra so the infinitely deep pockets stay that way.

Like Nixon, when he helped privatize healthcare. Playing Dumb (and a little crazy) has been a schtick for republicans for 60 years. I wish there was a website with all the crazy shit republicans said and did in public, maybe I need to start one…