I'm afraid the only way to avoid this brinkmanship in the (near) future is to finally let this one roll over the edge. Best case scenario: Republicans are blamed and lose ground in 2014. I don't know. I'm not a political awesome brain. I just know what I hear on NPR. This looks ugly.
These two are kind of pathetic. Yes, it's a trap question, but come on. It's not that hard. "Yes I think it's fair that we are asked to sacrifice too." Instead, you get "Hyuk, Hyuk, let me ask you a question..." Like the newslady is the one that has to answer for anything to do with this.