Is there a deal to be made that both Democrats and Republicans think is better than the fiscal cliff?
Deals are made when there is a range of options the both parties agree is better than walking away from the table. The fiscal cliff is bad, but there are a lot of possibilities that I consider significantly worse. I imagine that Republicans probably feel the same. If the point where Democrats walk from the table and accept the cliff is to the left of where the Republicans walk and accept the cliff, we're going over the cliff. If the Democrats limit is to the right of the Republicans limit, then we SHOULD get a deal.
So can anyone think of a deal that Republicans and Democrats would agree on or are we going over the cliff?
@Steve O, that's why I think the Democrats should not accept anything too extreme. The results if we go over the cliff are not THAT bad for Democrats. It's not ideal, but not terrible. The spending cuts can be implemented slowly enough to minimize their negative impact. If you don't want to raise taxes on everyone (I do, but Obama and most Democrats don't), then there will be a good chance to solve that later. So I don't think the Republicans can come up with an offer better than that. I'm wondering if someone here who knows Republicans better than I do can come up with something Democrats would prefer over the Fiscal Cliff that Republicans will also accept. I'm dubious.