This is a pretty simple question.
President Obama said that use of chemical weapons in Syria would cross a red line determined by international norms. President Obama has drawn a similar line of no negotiations over the debt ceiling, citing historical norms.
Does the firmness with which Obama treats Syria herald how firmly he will treat Republicans when they try to negotiate over raising the debt limit? If he caves on Syria, does that suggest that he will cave at the final hour in the face of Republican brinksmanship? If he gives Syria an out, does that mean he is open to letting Republicans have a face-saving negotiation that he refuses to label as negotiation to avoid crisis? Will the president's course on the debt limit be influenced by public opinion polls?