Debt Deal Kicks Democrats to the Curb

See George Condon, at National Journal, "Obama Hurt By Debt Debate." Condon suggests that extending the debt ceiling until 2013 is actually a victory for Obama. But a quick skim around the progressive blogosphere indicates how badly the left got beaten up on this deal. Kos has this, for example, with no upside: "Getting rid of Bush tax cuts ... won't happen." (At Memeorandum.)

Republicans are winning.

But see Bruce Kesler, who argues it's more of the same: "Debt Deal: New Demoralization and New Sobriety." And similar points on offer from Josh Barro, "Debt Ceiling Deal—Less Than Meets the Eye."