Isn’t he just saying the budget was a compromise, both sides got some of what they wanted? Happens in business all the time.
But he has his priorities straight, which as I read it, are;
(1) make sure Obama does NOT get re-elected (thus the “independent” threat - code for if Romney wins the nomination, Trump will go it alone to stop Obama)
(2) fix the economy / national finances, which urgently need WH leadership and aren’t currently getting it.
On these,we are all in agreement.
He could divide the Republican vote, but it still shouldn’t make people attack him for his stace on the birth certificate.