He could have absolutely refused to negotiate with the debt ceiling knife at his throat. That will only be recognized as fear, and cowardice. That's how I see it, and I'm a Liberal. Even a favorable and fair deal should be rejected if it is demanded as an ultimatum. Calling it "bipartisan compromise" or "negotiation" is a cop out.

Principles aside, Biden had arrows in his quiver he never fired. He could have taken his case to the people, using his bully pulpit to point out all the GOP tax cuts and spending bills they voted for. Even the Right acknowledges that "both sides" share in responsibility for the budget deficit. He could have insisted any spending cuts be balanced by equal tax increases on the rich, and of course, the IRS budget slash is not a budget buster at all, it is just a tax dodge curb. He could have used his veto and the 14th Amendment to make passage of the bill impossible, forcing the GOP to come up with a legislative alternative or commit to a lengthy litigation. He could have offered the GOP a good deal IF they waited till after the election (like THEY do when it comes to Supreme Court justices).

The deficit issue is a legitimate one, and the Republicans are right to press the Democrats on it. But using it in this fashion is just plain extortion, and it is unacceptable. Biden caved in because he's afraid any economic problems brought about by it will be blamed on the Democrats in the next election. He was a coward, and perhaps he was influenced by rich Democratic campaign contributors who are worried about their own booty. If he doesn't have enough faith in the American People to see through the GOP blackmail and punish them for it, then perhaps he deserves to lose. And if the American people fall for the GOP ransom, THEY deserve a Republican regime in Washington.

Now all that remains to be seen is how the GOP will use shakedown tactics the next time; Abortion, Religion, Gay Bashing, Immigration, Environment, Health, Labor, Anti-Trust, Ukraine, the Flat Tax? The possibilities are endless and they are all intolerable.