No, the Republicans have ALL the leverage here. The ONLY thing that Obama cares about is his ability to print up new money with which to buy up votes. Republicans can stop Obama dead in his tracks by refusing another increase, and there's not a damn thing Obama can do about it. Unfortunately, they are too stupid to realize it.
Not really. They would have to shut down the government and there is 0% chance of that happening. Sure if we magically replaced all the RINOs with conservatives then perhaps - maybe - a set of conservatives could play that card. Even then I am not sure. Newt failed when he tried. However these RINOs have no idea how to play that sort of game. They would need heart and brain transplants :-) I am past caring about any of this.