The Democrats really need to be more aggressive regarding the debt ceiling, and explain that

[JohnSJ]

it is money that already has been allocated, and not a vehicle to hold the country hostage for “negotiating” future budget deals.

The framing of this must be put on the backs of the republican scum who are trying to use it as an excuse to cut life-saving programs that millions of Americans depend on.

Those who are trying to frame this as a legitimate means of negotiating a future budget deal need to be called out in the strongest possible terms, and if the republicans in the House refuse to raise the debt ceiling and cause the US to default, they are exclusively the ones to blame.

We do not negotiate with terrorists, and this is equivalent to that

[jimfields33]

1. I actually think they should have passed it in December with five years of debt increase included

They could have given Manchin something for the vote and it’d be over until 2028 or so.

[Fiendish Thingy]

5. Manchin and Sinema opposed, so the votes weren't there. Nt

[orthoclad]

2. Don't negotiate with terrorists

We've been going through this BS since Newt. There's no reason for it.
They have no principles (despite their claims), all they're doing is holding hostages, because they can.

[JohnSJ]

3. Yes, but it seems to me that we are too passive in our pushback. The message from us

seems diluted, while the republican message that this is a legitimate negotiation tactic seems to dominate, when we have the illustrious media say “both sides are at fault”. That is BS

[doc03]

4. Since we have crypto currency now Biden should issue a 1 trillion dollar

coin to extend the debt. I think the Republicans are determined to default on the debt. They feel if they
crash the economy they can take the presidency in 2024. Like James Carville said "It's the economy stupid".
That is what lost the election for Trump in 2020, COVID and the recession.

[Fiendish Thingy]

6. Biden has done all the explaining that is necessary

The budget and the debt ceiling are two separate bills. Clean bill or no bill.

Let Kevin twist in the wind until their donors are demanding a clean bill.

If it gets to the point of default (and I don’t think the hedge fund managers will allow the Republicans to take it that far), Biden can just instruct Yellen to keep paying the bills, and to ignore any SCOTUS ruling to the contrary.

[JohnSJ]

9. I don't think that is good enough when much of the media is framing this as both sides are at fault

We need more than just President Biden, but we need every Democrat pushing back on this at every opportunity, proactively. Not waiting to be asked the question by the press

[Bayard]

7. President Biden has already said rethuglicans are wacky on this issue

He should give a press conference saying that nationally, and emphasize that they want to cut Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid. I think a lot of people don't realize what the stakes are here.