PS3/ What really astonishes me, though I have no idea why, is that it's not even like they came out to the public with a novel, ironclad, shocking explanation for this betrayal that was irrefutable. They just stepped up to the microphone and fiddled their lips with their fingers like born imbeciles.

PS/ It's not just that these cowards caved. It's not just that a December Senate deal won't pass the House, so ACA subsidies are gone now. It's not just that America was with the Dems. It's not just that this makes Trump seem strong. To cut this shitty deal, these schmucks *defied logic repeatedly*.

(2 of 3) you skip past Trust and Trust-and-Verify to Until You Put It In My Fucking Hand, Nothing's Happened. Same rule if your negotiating partner or his agents lied to you in the past *even once*.

If your job concerns public opinion and public opinion's on your side, it's leverage—not irrelevent.