as I watch the clock tick down and the final agreement on a Debt Ceiling Deal reach its conclusion.
Watching as the last shreds of resistance get beaten down into silence. The sick feeling from having seen this movie before and knowing the script and knowing exactly what is taking place as the Democrats find themselves in a good bargaining position, only to retreat and give it away. And knowing how this will end.
The same feeling as I got when watching the Great Budget Debate of December 2010, knowing that President Obama promised as strongly as possible that the Bush Tax Cuts would not! be extended.
Then watching as hostages were taken and knowing that something would have to give and that would be the Bush Tax Cuts, and we would have to accept it because, you know, unemployment was extended for some people for a brief time and never mind that unemployed people should get benefits without everyone else having to give something up in exchange.
And now, I know how horrible this new deal is about to be, that Congress is ceding its fiscal powers to a hand-picked crew who will get to pick and choose what to make cuts to, Medicare in exchange for defense spending cuts that, no matter how large they are, are still just an insignificant scratch to a hugely bloated budget. And no matter what they pick, there is no trigger for tax increases.
The Democrats are battered and ready to deal. Why? Why are the Democrats battered? Why aren't the Republicans or the ridiculous Tea Party battered? Poor Democrats, it's such hard work sticking up for your (cough, cough) consituents.
It is a sickening feeling, knowing you're about to get royally screwed, and watching helplessly knowing there's not a single thing you can do about it.
And - I did not appreciate David Plouffe's barely concealed smirk this mornign when he was asked if there was a deal in place yet and he replied no.