Byron York passes along a new strategy the GOP is considering:
Many House Republicans, including some key leaders, have decided they can live with a government shutdown but not with the threat of default. In the hours ahead, look for the GOP to seek a deal with President Obama and Democrats on at least a short-term increase in the debt limit, while standing firm on their requirement that a continuing resolution to fund the government must contain some significant measure to limit Obamacare. The bottom line: Republicans have discovered the world did not end when shutdown became a reality — but they’re not willing to risk it with the debt ceiling.
Ponnuru tries to get inside Boehner’s head:
A “clean” CR — a budget bill that reopens the government without any anti-Obamacare conditions — could pass the House with mostly Democratic votes. I think he’s refusing to let it pass not because he’s afraid for his job, but because it would make it much harder for him to raise the debt limit — and he rightly thinks that’s more important.
