For Obama and Boehner, Weakness Is Strength
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Oct. 14 (Bloomberg) -- In a negotiation, you might wellhave more power if you are powerless. Strength can be weakness,and weakness can be strength. Since 2011, these principles havebeen playing a significant role in conflicts between PresidentBarack Obama and the House of Representatives.
To see the general point, suppose that you are amalpractice lawyer, representing a patient in a suit against adoctor. Your client believes that the doctor made a big mistake.He is very angry. He knows a trial wouldn’t be a lot of fun, buthe likes the idea of seeing his doctor squirm on the witnessstand. He is also willing to settle, but the settlement has tobe on precisely his terms, which would give him a lot of money.