Debt ceiling deal illusive， Reid may hold the card

Facing an imminent debt ceiling deadline with dire consequences of US default, no deal yet seems likely to emerge on time.

Every single proposal from the House and Senate Republicans has been shot down by the White House or the Senate. Obama and Senate majority leader Harry Reid have been holding firm. To see where the deal dynamics is headed, it's important to understand why they're doing what they're doing: holding firm.

Reid: Soft-spoken, combative Obama partner vs GOP

Obama Hard-Line Debt Stance Rooted in Anger Over '11 Impasse

With public opinions shifting against the House Republicans over the government shutdown, who is going buckle first?