because if you elevate their threat as the white house is doing right now then you give it more credibility and you empower republicans to try to get whatever it is they want in exchange for their support. you see how this works? republicans don't want to do this thing. if they don't the results will be nothing short of economic armageddon and therefore we need to do everything we can to get republicans onboard. so what do you guys want? see the white house is putting itself in a position where they're forced to give in. if this game sounds familiar to you it's because it is exactly the way the tax cuts deal worked out last month. republicans say we won't vote for any tax cuts deal that doesn't include a tax cut for the richest americans. the white house says, well, if we don't get something passed it will be economic armageddon and presto chango the richest americans get their tax cut. republicans played it perfectly because the white house never bothered to call their bluff. the top republican in the house john boehner showed his hand ahead of time before the tax cut fight even got under way. >> if the only option i have is