A reader writes:
The ongoing moves in the debt ceiling struggle are fascinating.
I think you are underestimating Obama's tactical ability here. I know you are disappointed on other policy grounds, the only reason I am not is that I didn't think he was as progressive as you did in the first place so I didn't expect as much.
The GOP are idiots, they have manufactured a crisis here and they are the ones who are unable to move. Boehner has no chance of getting enough GOP votes to pass any increase in the debt ceiling on any terms whatsoever.
There are only two plausible ways out at this point: Boehner passes a bill with the help of House Dems, almost certainly the clean bill they proposed earlier or the House fails to pass anything and the President invokes extraordinary measures like selling off the contents of Fort Knox.
Obama gave the GOP enough rope to hang themselves and they did.
