Playing hardball has already paid dividends
The GOP caved on the fiscal cliff and voted to raise taxes for the first time in something like 30 years. They have apparently folded on the debt ceiling. Apparently it is dawning on them that threatening to destroy the global economy is not a good bargaining tactic in a budget negotiation.
Boehner has now twice allowed open votes, on the fiscal cliff and Sandy aid, where a number of republicans joined a majority of democrats to pass legislation. This could be the way forward over the next four years if the GOP has decided its harsh obstructionism has not only hurt the nation but it's hurt the GOP.