I do appreciate that angles remain, that it's possible that his tactics AND strategy may be leading to a coup de grace against the Banana Republican suicidal-wing of the Party.
(A mercy killing, of course.) I expect that he bloody-well should see a lot more options.. than do the vox populi!

But if enough congresscritters *today* (against this extortion) have left, little faith? in Obama's meta-bargaining chops--thus the bill just won't pass:
O. shall be forced to use the National Security option (hardly a ploy: it IS about national security, in the most precise sense)
to evade that which some of these terrorists Really want: Screw the US/or any mere 'people' in it; 'we want our country back' aka decoded: kill the Nigger.

We now have too many Disgusting people, IMO, to form a country (next) anything like what America once was thought to 'be about'.
The 0.1% manifestly Pwns X% of our alleged representatives; we can never know X, only surmise.. is that fait accompli even reversible, where voting is optional among so many?

I too continue to hope that Obama's Plan is far more meticulously constructed than I can guess. I also hope that he didn't skip Street Fighting 101--an elective course.
(I don't think you get more than one chance to elect an outstanding mind to the WH/per century; Muricans are stalwart against any overt signs of intellect. )

Toes crossed. Beladonna candle lighted to drive away the Golem.

Also replies, mostly:

Re: Know Your Enemies (4.00 / 4)
Reich drives me crazy. Of course he makes excellent points about jobs and the economy, but like Krugman he knows little or nothing about political maneuvering, and they both demonstrate it each time they write a column. This war has become far more about politics--since the Repugs have the ability and organizational clout to thwart every rational economic step that could be made, they have to be soundly defeated at the ballot box (enough to overcome the Diebold problem). I think Obama has been well aware of this ever since the lead-up to HCR, when we had ample evidence that idiocy, with a complicit media and Koc, Inc., was afoot

Have to concur, finally re. this take on Reich's pol-naivete, as well as Krugman's similar blind spots re the Whole enchilada.
But in Not having such blind-spots (One Hopes), Obama just may have some Aces to play. Agree with 4.00 / 4 on that sentiment.
Diss the Disgusting Destroyers of decent dialogue, as we alliteration addicts admirably affirm.