An Optimistic (and Clintonian) Case for the Fiscal-Cliff Deal

Thank goodness for the House G.O.P. ultras—Eric Cantor, Allen West, Michele Bachmann, Steve Scalise, and the rest of the crazy gang who voted against the fiscal-cliff deal. That’s what they must be thinking in the White House right now. A few days ago, President Obama was facing a potential rebellion on the left for caving to the Republicans. Now many progressives are having second thoughts. If the Republican ultras hate the deal so much, they are thinking, perhaps it wasn’t such a bad one after all. “Calm Down Liberals, Obama Won,” said the headline over an upbeat post from Ezra Klein that encapsulates the revisionist view.

...read more