The current debt ceiling negotiations can only result in a reasonable compromise if at least one of the following three things is true:
- MAGA Republicans are selfless patriots who are willing to put self-interest and ideology aside for the good of the country;
- McCarthy has such a strong hold on them, they will fall into line regardless of their ultimate objectives; or
- McCarthy is willing to use Democratic votes to remain Speaker.
History already tells us that #1 and #2 may be true on the planet Zoltan, but not here. #3 is highly unlikely. Then what?
Barring the use of the Fourteenth Amendment, either Biden surrenders, or we go over the cliff. With the first option, Biden forfeits his legacy, the left is completely demoralized, the spending cuts cause a recession, and Trump is our next president. With the second option, we have a worldwide economic catastrophe, Biden is blamed, and Trump is our next president.
So why does Biden keep insisting that the Fourteenth Amendment won’t work? It may not be perfect, but it’s certainly a better option than surrender or default.
I don’t get it. I just don’t. What is he thinking?