This frame leaves me wondering how the political cycle will be any different from before: a deft speech leading to appeasement leading to mostly a brick wall.

In the end, what did we learn from the Great Logistical Kerfuffle of 2011? Well, we've been reminded that everyone in politics and the media is as thin-skinned and as petty as they ever were.

Democrats, however, will still view it as a microcosm of the larger disputes that have played out between the two parties

UPDATE: 5:00 p.m. -- Boehner's response to Obama's request may be unprecedented, according to the Senate Historical Office