What is the relationship between a deadline and a deal getting made?

I think it will happen, then when the newly elected take office in January, they will put their own plan into place to restore part of the original plan back. That way Obama & Co. will get the tax increase they want, and at the next election take credit for “giving” us a tax break.

Although I think this will happen, I hope I am wrong.

I think @DrBill is partially correct. It will happen. It will happen because the party that does not participate is going to be the fall guy for whatever bad happens.
I am not sure what is meant by “they will put their own plan into place to restore part of the original plan back.” but I am certain that BOTH sides will take credit for the giving part and try to shift blame for any problems that develop.

It’s not clear to me that Obama really wants a deal. As long as the Republicans get the blame, going over the fiscal cliff gives Obama many of the things he already wants. Taxes go up significantly which funds his government growth and the defense budget gets slashed. As long as he can convince the people that it’s not his fault, another recession is acceptable collateral damage.

I don’t think we will get a deal until the polls show Obama getting some of the blame. As long as they don’t, he’ll continue to move the goal posts to insure no deal is possible.

Or the Republicans could move further.

But I don’t think Obama wants a recession. Quite the opposite. If anyone wants a recession, it’s Republicans, but it’s only because they advocate policies that will bring a recession. Of course, they think it’s the Democrats who are doing the same thing.

Let’s go one step farther and say their ALL to blame.. It’s a matter of personal victories to them (house/senate) both demanding their respective extremes, then at the last moment one or the other ‘budges’ and the opposition runs with it which ends up as a deal but anyone beyond that sandbox realizes it’s not a ‘deal’ as much as the slight movement of the tin can.. Who’s to blame? The lack of leadership which includes ALL our representatives from the lowest to the highest. To blame Obama (or anyone else) on our problems is a great misunderstanding.. Only when we can vote in responsible leaders who put this country first will this political corruption cease. Giving raises to the senate while all this is going on is an insult.. Some would say, “But it’s only 2%” without realizing that these clowns are making hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. So these chumps haven’t had a raise since 2009.. When was the last time you got a raise of more than 50¢..?

If the debt ceiling isn’t raised and taxes revert to pre-Bush levels the Republicans are likely to get most of the blame. If the Republican make a deal that doesn’t include tremendous tax savings for the richest of us, they’ll get the blame.

The best thing for the Democrats to do is stick to their principles and avoid any solution that reduces social security or medicare. Of course, when was the last time the Democrats stuck to their principles?