How Dems are winning the debt limit fight — and a GOP surrender

[DonViejo]

Senate leaders are finishing deal to raise debt limit entailing nothing Obama wouldn't willingly part with (UPDATE)

BY BRIAN BEUTLER

Update, 9:30 a.m.: As of early Tuesday, sources now say Senate Democrats have agreed to drop the reinsurance fee delay from the debt limit framework because of GOP objections. Thus, unions won’t be the unexpected winners of the fight, though the framework still upholds the Democrats’ principle that they will not offer unrequited concessions in exchange for Republicans agreeing to increase the debt limit.

Original post: If three months ago I had told you that the debt-limit fight would end not with Democrats offering a concession to Republicans but with Republicans teaming up with Democrats to provide a concession to dreaded labor unions, you would’ve laughed me out of my job, and rightly so.

But here we are.

On Monday, congressional aides began leaking details of the framework Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have settled upon to resolve the debt-limit crisis and reopen the government, which has been largely shuttered for two weeks.

The plan is tentative. McConnell will officially brief Senate Republicans on all of the details later this morning, and it’s possible they’ll demand changes. But realistically, time is up. McConnell spent much of Monday briefing his members about the negotiations in smaller groups, and if any of them are planning to stage a rebellion, they showed no signs of it yesterday. The shutdown has been absolutely devastating for Republicans as a national party, and two weeks into it their appetite for further battle is severely diminished.

full article
http://www.salon.com/2013/10/15/how_dems_won_the_debt_limit_fight_and_handed_unions_a_big_win/

[Eric J in MN]

1. If the Debt Limit is only extended until Feb 7, then any budget negotiations

...between now and then will be under the threat of Republicans destroying the economy.

[Buddaman]

2. Exactly....nt