SAVING FACE > SAVING COUNTRY

Atrios and I have noted before that the GOP has dug itself such a deep hole that is needs something from Pres. Obama to "save face" and now Charlie Cook has come to the same conclusion:

The experts, in McGregor's words, made three major points: "This is likely to get worse before it gets better. The president might choose not to negotiate on his core principles, but he'll still have to find a way to let Republicans save face. And even if you're dealing with hostage-takers, there's still room to talk."

It was the second point that really resonated with me. If your intent is to decimate your opposition and win at all costs, that's one thing. But if your intention is to resolve a conflict that has enormous consequences for our national economy and finances, you have to give your opposition a place to land, a way to settle and save face.