Following the proven, evidence-based revelation of the GOP plot for a shutdown in this letter:
[The plot] articulated a take-no-prisoners legislative strategy that had long percolated in conservative circles: that Republicans could derail the health care overhaul if conservative lawmakers were willing to push fellow Republicans — including their cautious leaders — into cutting off financing for the entire federal government. http://www.nytimes.com/...
...and John Boehner whining that the president won't pay the ransom determined by the above plot refuses to have a clean debt ceiling bill:
"We're not going to pass a clean debt limit increase," Boehner said on ABC's "This Week With George Stephanopoulos." http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
...we finally have it straight from the elephant's mouth that this whole thing is a charade designed to defund Obamacare -- default and economic collapse be damned.
Appearing on CNN's "State of the Union" with Candy Crowley this morning, Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R) finally admitted what has been long suspected: he, and the Republicans following him and preventing a clean vote, are playing politics with the debt ceiling.
“The debt ceiling historically has been among the best leverage that Congress has to rein in the executive," Cruz said.
He listed three objectives as Republicans approach the debt ceiling.
"No. 1, we should look for some significant structural plan and reduce government spending. No. 2, we should avoid new taxes, and No. 3, we should look for ways to mitigate the harm from Obamacare."
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/...
This is mainly for the record. If/when default happens, or the shutdown stretches into another month -- the GOP owns this debacle. They wanted it, they plotted how to make it happen, they made it happen, they failed to solve it through a simple clean CR, they extended it, and finally they outright admitted it: shutdown and default is the GOP economic platform.
The media ought to remember the above information. It's straight from the mouths of Republicans and it admits this is their plan and their desire.