Does Obama Have Republicans on a String?

In Talks, G.O.P. May Have to Just Say Yes. (The New York Times, 12/8/2012)

Excerpt:     In their book, “Getting to Yes,” Roger Fisher and William Ury introduce what may be the most important concept in the theory of negotiations: the best alternative to a negotiated agreement, or Batna. Knowing your true Batna — and your adversary’s — is critical in bargaining. A vivid example from the entertainment world illustrates the concept and offers some useful hints about how the current fiscal negotiations in Washington are likely to unfold.

Everything You Need to Know About the Fiscal Cliff Plans, in Charts.  (The Atlantic, 12/5/2012)

• Bowles-Simpson Plan ($4,000,000,000,000 -- trillions)
• Revenue:            $2,000,000,000,000  (assumes Bush-era tax cuts for rich expire)
• Discretionary:     $   600,000,000,000
• Health care         $   480,000,000,000
• Other mandatory $   320,000,000,000
• Obama plan                 ($2,000,000,000,000)
• Revenue               $1,400,000,000,000 (from high earners)
• Health care            $   350,000,000,000 
• Medicare negotiates better drug prices
• Limting payment to nursing homes and other facilities
• Other mandatory   $  250,000,000,000
• Republican plan             ($2,200,000,000,000)
• Revenue                $   800,000,000,000 (no specifics)
• Health care            $   600,000,000,000 (mostly unidentified)
• Discretionary         $   300,000,000,000
• Other mandatory   $   300,000,000,000
• Inflation calc.         $   200,000,000