Given the events of the last couple of weeks, Dems are arguably even more inclined to play hardball, since Republicans were so irresponsible during the debt-ceiling fight.I think Steve means "given the events of the last couple of weeks, Dems SHOULD BE even more inclined to play hardball." But we all know they won't. It's not in their nature. Even Bernie Sanders talks a good game, but do you see him launching any filibusters? We have three years of this presidency, and far more years of Democrats in Congress. Nothing suggests that their behavior will change. If anything, I'd rewrite Steve's line to say: "Given the events of the last couple of weeks, Republicans should know that Democrats are not inclined to play hardball."
More from Steve:
It’s not as if the GOP created an atmosphere of goodwill and cooperation. And with Republicans already taking an antagonistic attitude about the next round of talks that haven’t even started, Democrats would be fools not to approach the next phase with confrontation in mind.But they are, Blanche.
Again, Steve is correct. Democrats would be fools not to approach future dealings with Republicans with confrontation in mind. But it's not like this was the first time the GOP played hardball with the Democrats. That's all they do is play hardball. And the Dems caved. That's all they do. There is no reason to expect a change in the President's, or the Democrats in Congress', behavior. And the Republicans know that.
