"Do you think any deal was done without the consent of the President?"
Do I think that they consulted Bush?
I doubt it. Besides they routinely sell him out. I doubt that they needed to consult him and get his approval to sell him out. NOTHING was gained here. ALLOT was lost. Bush has NO REASON to WANT THIS. So, no I don't believe Bush was behind this or consulted.
If that is the case, then I expect Bush to work the phones all night tonight and dissuade his party members from taking this deal. Right?