The debt ceiling/budget talks are for all the marbles in 2012. I get the sense the Republicans

[Orlandodem]

will be blamed if no deal is reached. Obama has the middle ground. The Republicans are on the extremely far right wing. The House Dems are somewhat irrelevant.

The Dems need to hold strong to their position and force the Republicans to support a deal which raises taxes or let the whole thing fall apart and Obama invoke the Constitutional solution. If they actually force the Rs to vote for something that raises taxes their base will go absolutely ballistic. If there is no deal the Rs look intransigent. Either way they lose.

[Safetykitten]

1. No, republicans will not be to blame. How could they when our leaders do not call them out?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. I suspect you're right...

And I also hope so!

[Johnny2X2X]

3. NO

The Republicans don't lose, the American people lose!!! The stakes are higher than Politics.

[Ozymanithrax]

4. The 12% cut in medicare will make no friends...

If Obama Hikes the Medicare Eligibility Age, That Will Mean a 12 Percent Benefit Cut for the Average Senior

[Johonny]

6. I agree

The above scenario doesn't point out Obama put medicare on the table. The Republicans ran in 2010 accusing Obama of trying destroy medicare and now they have more proof. It hurts an issue Obama and Dems were gaining on and he could still of had this debt ceiling stalemate without going public on the table with these items. House Dems have a right to be pissed he might cost the house Dems a chance at a majority in 2012. Obama might win this arguments with Republicans, but the party will have lost its political hammer on social security and medicare that wins local house elections. It's will feel like sort of a Pyrrhic victory for Obama.

[Ozymanithrax]

8. I expect a sweep. Which ever side wins this argument will win big.

When the dust clears after the first Tuesday in November 2012, Republicans or Democrats will sweep. Divided government has been a disaster, not because it is a bad thing, but because the two sides will no compromise for the benefit of the citizens.

[Lil Missy]

5. I think you're right. n/t

[old guy]

7. The winner and loser will be determined by the media.

[Jazz Ambassador]

9. Which is why NOW is the time for Obama to suggest

...that Casey Anthony supports the GOP position.

I mean, what the hell? Couldn't hurt.

[damntexdem]

10. It may be for all the marbles, but the Repukes have lost theirs.

[FiveGoodMen]

11. So has this country, though, or there wouldn't be any self-identified pukes among the population

They've driven everyone so nuts that half the US citizens WANT to burn down the house while we're all still in it.