Bring on the government shutdown?

First, it looks like both Democrats and Republicans are, if not geared up for it, at least resigned to it, or accepting its likelihood.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor says, "Bring it on." So, too, does Howard Dean.

True, it could still be avoided. But, who wins, who loses, on the political chessboard? Salon has a handy scorecard for the zero-sum game of "concessions."

And, per that scorecard, Senate Dems appear to be at least starting to slouch toward Scenario 3, which Andrew Leonard identified as a big GOP win.

*Theoretically,* on the chessboard of politics, a shutdown would be a win for Dems, which is why they want it. But, given the current Democratic lineup from Preznit Kumbaya down, in reality, they'll blow a shutdown showdown like a weekend duffer missing a two-footer at the Masters. The Salon link and Reid's equivocating are Exhibit A on that.