The debt ceiling deal that is in the process of being approved is, as we say in Spanish, a muerte anunciada, a death foretold. I predicted it, as did many, last December. When there was hope for some form of a clean debt ceiling rise, I wrote:
I think the chance of this deal happening is zero. But, if it happens, then I will have been completely wrong about these negotiations. But I don't think I am, and I still think deep spending cuts will be the price the GOP extracts for raising the debt ceiling. But it would be great if I was wrong.
I wasn't wrong, nor did I expect to be. I believe the debt ceiling fight was lost last December. The cake was baked. And in fact, the President and Dems had no choice but to capitulate to Republicans. the consequences of not raising the debt ceiling would have been catastrophic.
Nor do I believe this has to be the end of the story. Because "Historic" Legislation Is As Lasting As the Next Election.
Nor do I see this as the moment to declare that I will not be supporting the President for reelection. Too many issues, like The Right To Choose, hang in the balance.
Notwithstanding all that, this is not a day for shrugs. It is a terrible day for Democratic values. It is a day of defeat. We must accept that and promise to fight. Our anger and despair about today should not be belittled or ridiculed. It must be nurtured and stored as the fuel for our fire. Our fire to fight.
Yes, I anticipated this day. Yes, I knew what was coming. No, I did not expect, nor even want, the President to play the madman here. The costs would have been catastrophic.
But my anger is genuine. My disdain for the actions of Democrats is real, and in my view, merited. But the fight still lies before us. Are Washington Dems our allies? Almost certainly not. Certainly not all of them. But the institution can become our vessel. We must fill it with our thoughts. Our priorities. And yes, our anger.
Today is not a day to shrug. It is a day to remember. And to begin anew the fight. We have no choice.