Of course, most of the talk was on the budget deal. There was a lot of talk and not much said besides the blather that is continually repeated. Basically, what the pundits are saying is that neither side can muster enough votes to get their preferred alternative through, but that they aren't willing to discuss meeting halfway.

I've already written about this, and I think that in the long run, the republicans will be hurt the most by it, because it looks like they are being intransigent. I think Boehner suspects this - that his instincts tells him this could happen, but there isn't a lot he can do about it.

It is so cynical of the republicans to block every move that Obama is trying to make, even when he is trying to support what they want, and then criticize him cause he can't get anything done. It's about as politically low down as it gets. But Obama hasn't helped himself when it looks like he's too quick to take a bad deal.

I'm sure that there will be some really trying times if there is a temporary default by the U.S. But time never stands still, and how it will play out in the long run is anyone's guess.