12:25 p.m. E.T.

All these public statements from the White House and Boehner’s office staking out ground are just fine for those in favor of a deal.

This posturing isn’t what matters. What matters is 218 “yes” votes in the House. And, in a bank shot sort of way, these battling public statements from both sides are good for the ultimate goal. Partisans on both sides have to feel like they got something out of the talks.