Don is right though, JF. Your answer provides part of the clue. If our leaders were competent and determined, they would have shoved the left's narrative of lies back down their throats, but wanting to avoid a shutdown at all costs they were correctly judged as being vulnerable. The Dem's wailed over horrific cuts that were nothing of the sort, and in the process established the precedent of knowing they can play Boehner & Co for fools whenever they desire. To wit- that jackass Van Hollen-DemonRat from Maryland is moving onto the debt ceiling meme now warning the Repub's to not play chicken with our full faith & credit! Full faith & credit! Another one every Repub should be shoving down these SOB's lying damn faces 24/7/365!
Be prepared to witness another GOP retreat!