Paul Begala actually said...

"The president of the United States always looks good when he can rise above the partisan fray or kind of resolve a partisan legal difference."

"I thought we were heading for a government shutdown, almost for certain."

"If Speaker Boehner can deliver his caucus, many of whom got elected not to compromise, if he can get them to vote for a compromise, I think that would be pretty remarkable."

"This is going to be his choice and he's going to sleep on it, I suppose, tonight. Either he takes the position of the Republican base... or he tries to find a bipartisan solution."