Phil writes: “It’s also possible that Biden is letting the idea that he may be open to invoking the 14th Amendment percolate without actually intending to pursue the strategy. Essentially, it could be a way to signal to Republicans, ahead of negotiations, that they better cut a deal or else he’ll go it alone and they’ll get nothing. He also may be attempting to calm markets, by telling investors that somehow, if push came to shove, he’d be willing to do what it takes.”

That may indeed be what the White House is thinking, but if so the strategy seems likely to backfire. What it tells Republicans is that they can avoid doing something they don’t relish doing — voting to raise the debt ceiling — without terrible economic consequences. That doesn’t make them more likely to do it, does it?