There might be a debt ceiling deal. Josh Marshall tries to figure out how it happened.
The most basic explanation is the one he outlines. McCarthy never had the votes of the Freedumb Caucus. At some point he knew that. He did need some concessions in order to get "normal" Republicans to agree. There was no deal without Democratic votes. While McCarthy is simultaneously weak, marginally stupid and an ideologue, he is also beholden to the business community. Default is simply not an option. So Gaetz can froth at the mouth about 'shooting the hostage' McCarthy was never really going to let that happen.
Biden knew all this and knew the contours of this "negotiation." I agree with Marshall that I wish he had never agreed to it, but I think Biden knew that he could not not negotiate. He had to "look reasonable" as the Republicans continue to shift terms and make terrible demands.
In short, Biden gave Republicans enough rope to hang themselves.
Of course, the deal still isn't done. If McCarthy brings the deal to the floor and it passes with a bipartisan majority, the Chaos Caucus could void his speakership, so it wouldn't surprise me if Biden promised McCarthy enough Democratic votes to keep the gavel. This time.
Again, though, this demonstrates that there is only one party in this country willing or capable of governing.
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