I can't understand why Obama doesn't think like a lawyer. No lawyer I have ever known would give up an argument that the 14th Amendment is not an option before the debate begins. Why give away a strong argument or any argumentand get nothing in return?
In my many dealings with lawyers, I learned the rule of Purple. As explained to me the lawyer makes demands and if the other side gives a little, he just asks for more and more until, finally, the other guy gets so damn mad he turns purple and says no.