To use a sports metaphor (and who here doesn't enjoy them (now with extra snark)):
In football, normally you want to drive to the other team's end-zone and score. Our Democratic Donkey team instead started out by saying the objective wasn't to score, but to end up on the 50 yard line where both sides are happy.
The GOPer Elephant team (popularly known as the 'Phants') objected (and rallied the audience to throw crap onto the field) and said, "No, you need to cede to the 40 yard line. Anything else is unacceptable."
The Donks say, "Okay, in the name of bipartisanship and good sportsmanship, we'll do that. 40 yards it is."
The Phants reply, "Are you insane? You want everybody to die! It's socialism! We demand the 25 yard line!"
Meanwhile the corporate sponsors light up the JumboTron with Fox News and the message "Donks want people to die." The audience begins waving guns and holding up signs threatening the Donkey team members and coaching staff. They capitulate: "25 yard line then."
A handful of Donks (with Phant team logo tote bags stuffed with corporate cash) step forward and announce, "No, we can't have that -- it's socialism and a government takeover of football. We insist on the 20 yard line and possession be given to the GOP Phants. Also, fire the referees -- we have some private companies who will do the job for 40% of the box office intake. If not, we'll leave and you'll lose by forfeit."
"What?! Okay, fine."
Etc., etc. Until the Donks find themselves on the 2 yard line, the Phants have been granted 10 downs and the right to stop the game anytime they want, the Jumbotron says the Donks are all filthy traitors... and the Phants and their Donk quisling allies demand the ball be backed up another couple yards into the Donk end-zone. Just to be fair.
Finally, the President of the football league chimes in and orders the Donks to comply with the Phant and quisling Donk demands, so the 'game' can continue.
In the meantime, unnoticed by anybody, a member of the audience dies every 12 to 15 minutes, and Security begins ejecting those who can't afford the mandatory spoiled hotdogs and rancid beer.