Reply #9: What I don't understand is that he seems to keep trying to get cooperation

[Vinca]

from the teabag segment of the GOP which is a total lost cause. You could put ending Social Security and Medicare entirely on the table and they won't vote to raise the debt ceiling. He should ignore them, not give up the core Democratic principles and count on getting a House majority vote using Democrats rather than Republicans. He should also slap Boehner up side the head and get him to act like a leader. Nancy would have had the troops in line and ready to vote. In the end, if this baloney continues, he needs to take the Constitutional option. This might have started out as a game of chess, but it's starting to look like pin the tail on the donkey. If the House whackos impeach him for following the Constitution, that's a good thing for his re-election hopes.