So the Democrats have to provide a way out for the Republicans???
Everytime the President has offered solutions over the past 4 years, he's been kicked in the face - by the Republicans - and he wasn't in the position he's in now to force their hand.
It's called accountability. The party that bragged that their sole agenda was to keep Obama from being re-elected and then did everything they could to bring Congress to a halt. Because anything that was accomplished might look good for Obama... well, they made their bed of nails - now lay in it.
The President has laid out his proposal, the nation supports his position... his job now is to get the best deal for the American people. Not cover the Republican asses... it's time to lance the boil.
Is going over the "cliff" the ideal solution... but it's up to the Republicans to man up and do the jobs they were put into office to do.