Cliff Dwelling

In our post-New Year's Eve, almost post-cliff state (the "fiscal cliff" deal passed by the Senate early this morning won't be taken up by the House until this afternoon at the earliest), we hereby offer selected commentary on "the package:"

From Robert Reich, who sees a lot to dislike about the "lousy" deal (and doesn't even count the loss of the payroll tax cut).

From Matthew O'Brien, who talks about the biggest thing missing from the deal, the aforementioned payroll tax cut - or an equivalent middle class stimulus.

From Paul Krugman, who, like Noam Scheiber, doesn't like the deal, but thinks it is better than what some were fearing from the "conceder-in-chief," whom the Rethugs needn't fear in future "negotiations."

From Michael Tomasky, who sees a 200-year-old pattern of obstruction and thinks, considering that, Obama did... ok.

From us, we'll withhold final judgment until after the lesser ape house House of Representatives acts, but right now, it's safe to say we have to go with Ms. Maroney:

(Photo: Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney's not impressed.)