zero revenue increases and 100% spending cut would be a mix covered in their statement and I thin it is safe to assume they are smart enough to know that. I personally think there will and should be some revenue increases and the dems will have all the leverage to get them in December next year. If they let them expire then the tax increase would come before most of the spending cuts hit. One of the reasons the tea party scares the crap out of the political class is they seem to be willing to risk reelection to push their agenda. Doesn't look like the S&P believes the dems will do the same.

By the way agreeing that the dems are spineless kind of undermines your argument that it is all the republicans fault. The republicans at least are doing what they believe is in the best interest of the country. If the dems are signing on to things they don't think will help the country because they are spineless cravens (yes I have been reading Martin) then I would say they are more at fault and should be despised by both sides of the political spectrum.