Looks like both President and Speaker have given up.

[JohnnyLib2]

And are only preparing to point the finger later and say "it's his/their fault."

JL2, former optimist

:argh: ;(

[rzemanfl]

1. An optimist thinks we live in the best of all possible worlds, a

pessimist fears this may be true.

[Critters2]

Like! nt

[rzemanfl]

8. That's me paraphrasing Betty White quoting someone else. n/t

[dennis4868]

2. DUers making shit up....

Obama said in his speech he is CONFIDENT something can still get done by the deadline....doesn't sound like a man giving up to me.

[quaker bill]

3. No, its a game of chicken

Over the long haul, Obama wins this one. None of the rich interests backing the repugs want a default, so at some point they will buckle. The market did not fall enough today to get the PTB antsy and making that kind of call. Tomorrow may get the job done.

[JohnnyLib2]

4. Hope you are right!

[TheKentuckian]

5. Highest probability answer

[Coyote_Bandit]

6. Yeah, it's a game of chicken

and we all may end up in the ditch. Sometimes that's what happens when everybody is so focused on winning that they forget people can bwe badly hurt. Or worse.

The sorry bastards in Washington need to suck it up and figure out how to fulfill one of their primary job responsibilities.

And if they can't - or won't - then they deserve to have their sorry asses fired.

[AndyTiedye]

7. Depends on Whether the Strings are Being Pulled by the Bulls or the Bears

[keith0]

9. looks like a repeat to me... stir up the drama and fear, then pull out an 11th hour deal...

over the weekend.

works like a "charm", every time.