Fiscal Cliff

Worst. Negotiators. Ever.

I can sympathize with that position, but I do think that Obama has a tactical point here. One can gain an advantage in negotiation by limiting one's own options. As long as the Republicans in the House think that Obama can fall back on the trillion-dollar coin or the fourteenth amendment, they can continue to pretend that they're actually negotiating over the debt ceiling rather than just holding the nation's economy hostage. By taking away his fall-back positions, Obama is telling the GOP that he has no room to negotiate, and that the choice is down to two options: raise the ceiling or risk financial disaster.

It may not be the right negotiating strategy, but it's a strategy.

I see what you mean, and applaud your mastery of Thomas Schelling's game theory of blackmail. But here's my problem with the strategy you suggest Obama is pursuing: He has to credibly promise to do something crazy and dangerous, letting America default and allowing a constitutional crisis to escalate. Over the past four years, though, Obama has made several supposedly-tough commitments. Each time, he backed out like a coward (as his liberal opponents see it) or did the responsible thing by striking deals (as his supporters see it). Either way, I don't see how Obama can credibly promise irresponsible brinkmanship anymore.

That's precisely the problem with Obama; he's wishy-washy, and lets his opponents know they can win the gamble. He has no back bone, but worse, he lets the GOP play chicken to win.

waterboy, Yes he has; he just did in this morning's speech. You need to keep up with the news - and memorize it.

I listened to his speech this morning and I have to ask if Jodie Foster is his speech writer.

So is she, or isn't she?

Remove my blinders from what? That my investment funds returned over 10% last year, and starting this year with a bang?

You really are stupid! You're not only blind to the realities of what's been happening since Obama took over the white house, but the economic recovery that's been on-going for four years now.

You're more than just stupid; total ignorance.

You,

There's no cure for s...........

You are the ignorant fool you have always been, shame on me for thinking you would stop
your irrational thinking for a few minutes and try thinking for yourself before you speak.

You seem to have a fascination with Jodie Foster as well as a fascination with guns.

I seem to recall someone else with that combination of neurosis.

I mention Foster once and you claim I have a 'fascination' with her

Did you happen to hear her speech last night, she and Obama could go toe to toe


Has Obama ever proposed a viable solution to any problem?

Too bad the US still has combat troops in Iraq in your reality.

Domestic problem.

In our own back yard problem.

You need to "prove" irrational thinking from evidence; you have never provided any - and never will, because you're tooooo st.....

Speaking of troops, Obama has travel plans for US troops.

US Preps Anti-Terror Forces for Mali

Well, that's a problem for both sides in a Game of Chicken, and even though the Republicans certainly talk the crazy talk, they have so far been just as reluctant as Obama to walk the crazy walk. Both sides, then, have credibility problems when it comes to carrying out threats.