Which is why, despite what they say, the political animals on our team (which is most of them considering they learned the art well enough to get themselves elected) are looking for a way out.
Unfortunately, while the political class is wrong or willing to surrender on policy, they may be right on the politics. And it takes more than being right to get anything done. Many believe this is nothing more than a trap Hussein has set and they could very well be right.
The choice here is to stand firm on principle and further the process of re-branding ourselves as a party that actually stands for something almost revolutionary - and accept the PR lumps that will probably go along with it, or kick the can down the road, get whatever deal we can, be satisfied with limited success and hopefully be stronger still the next time around. As difficult as it is, I suspect the former is the better course of action. However if the public turns too far against us, the pressure to relent will become overwhelming and we may get less than Boehner is even pushing now.
I think you’re right. Get what we can, blame the dems for holding SS hostage, and ask for help winning the Senate and White House - and keeping the House.