Tonight's Presidential Address...Yes, there's a crisis, but not the one Trump will say there is...

Tonight on all the major television networks, President Trump will speak to the nation about the crisis on the border.

It promises to be a divisive speech.

Supporters of the POTUS will mostly think he's "truth-telling" and bemoan the fact that Democrats in Congress are playing hardball.

Foes of Mr. Trump will be uber focused on the truthfulness of his remarks, which may be less than 100% truthful. Also, they'll be looking forward to the Democratic response afterwards by Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer.

Here's my take on tonight's speech...

Trump is correct in saying there's a crisis at the border. Problem is, its not the one he claims it is. The claims he's made - and that been supported by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders and Vice President Mike Pence - that thousands of terrorists are pouting across the border with Mexico are false. The government's own stats don't support his claims.

Its not thousands of terrorists - it's six...

Most of the people here illegally are overstaying their visas, not scrambling across the border.

The real crisis is for the United States Border Patrol, who are understaffed and underfunded. They don't have the tools to do the job that's being asked of them. Too many illegals are coming across every week and the USBP is overwhelmed.

They need more agents, lawyers, judges, staff to manage the incoming people.

They need more facilities to properly house the people while they wait for the individual cases to be adjudicated. More money to properly provide healthcare and food

They do need more fencing and obstacles to keep people out. That may be a "wall" in some places. In other places, its the barrier with steel slits you've seen. In other cases, its drones or other structures/tactics to effectively stop the illegal entry issue.

Trump is stuck on the "wall" thing because he promised his base a bigass wall, the best ever wall during the campaign.

If Trump tones down his rhetoric this evening and puts forth a reasonable list of requests, and seems less interested in demonizing the Democrats - who do want border security too - then the Dems should work with him and make something happen to get the Federal Government open again and make meaningful improvements to the border situation.

It's beyond time for the "Best dealmaker ever" to make a deal.