https://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2011/07/12/showdown/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usThu, 11 Jun 2026 01:51:27 -0400<![CDATA[Neither Congressional Republicans nor the administration publicly gave any ground in their confrontation over how to reduce the budget deficit. Each side has doubled down. President Obama played the shutdown card, saying that unless the Republicans &#8216;ate their peas&#8217; then social security checks would not be mailed. Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell retorted by saying that while President was in office no compromise could ever be found to reduce the budget deficit.  The problem was Obama; he was not part of the solution. Compromise, in the terms of each side, has become tantamount to surrender. The administration will agree to a &#8220;grand bargain&#8221; on the deficit, promising to cut it over ten years, only if Republicans agree to new tax measures. The Republicans, on the other hand, will stick to their campaign promise not to raise taxes and are offering smaller deficit reductions based on spending cuts only.]]>Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:07:32 -0400<![CDATA[Richard Fernandez]]>https://pjmedia.com/richard-fernandez/2011/07/12/showdown-n190759