"This may bring my presidency down, but I will not yield on this."

Thus spake Barack Obama . . .

. . . to the Republican non-negotiator Eric Cantor, who was holding out for huge spending cuts without adding one dollar of revenue increases. And then, when that got no traction from the president, he pushed for a short term, stop gap measure, which is what prompted the president to say:

"Eric, don't call my bluff. I'm going to the American people on this. This process is confirming what the American people think is the worst about Washington: that everyone is more interested in posturing, political positioning, and protecting their base, than in resolving real problems."

And he added:

"I am totally willing to do the hard stuff to get well above what you need and you won't do it because you can't put one penny of revenue on the table."

And he concluded:

"I've reached my limit. This may bring my presidency down, but I will not yield on this."

According to Democrats, Cantor sat silently as he was being dressed down by the president. But later he told reporters:

“I know why he lost his temper. He’s frustrated. We’re all frustrated."

I say it's about time he lost his temper. He's frustrated because he's been trying to negotiate in good faith, and McConnell, Boehner, and Cantor haven't given an inch.

So, get mad, Mr. President. Get damn mad. Go to the American people and tell them why you are "frustrated" with the Republicans. I guarantee that, if you explain it properly, you will get the backing of 60% of the American people, at least. And on something so divisive, that's very very good. It will not bring down your presidency. What might bring it down is your caving in on this.

Ralph