The GOP Has Surrendered for Now -- But It Will Try More Extortion Soon and Dems Have to be Strong

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/gop-has-surrendered-now-it-will-try-more-extortion-soon-and-dems-have-be-strong

The conventional wisdom seems to be that Democrats shouldn’t spike the football or dance in the end zone once they succeed in lifting the debt ceiling and reopening government, because decorum. Or something. It would be bad taste and it might even make Republicans crazier. That’s a real risk. I would have denied that crazier than this was possible a few months ago, but I’ve learned: Never bet against their capacity for crazy.

Still, part of me disagrees with that assessment, strongly. I think Democrats should do whatever is necessary to make clear to Republicans that this was a political disaster for them, and a genuine disaster for the country, and it should never be tried again. If humiliation would do that, I’m all for it.

On the other hand, it’s a mistake for Democrats, liberals especially, to celebrate this deal – because we can still lose.

Let’s be clear: Republicans got something for their bad behavior: tougher income verification requirements for Affordable Care Act subsidies, and a shorter debt-ceiling hike than Democrats said they wanted. And Republicans gave…nothing. They merely did their jobs and reopened the government and averted a global economic disaster. They put down the gun, and they released the hostage. That’s all.

[djean111]

1. I agree with you, but the celebration is making me uneasy - the GOP has lost the battle, but is

winning the war. They ceded nothing, and gained a bit of ground. They are most certainly plotting their next skirmish. This is a game of inches, and they are winning that.
I am not sure this particular situation was one in which the Dems could actually make demands, but then again, the Dems never seem to come out with strong demands any more, anyway. They just seem to be reactive and not proactive.