Fiscal Cliff Deal: Obama Made Big Mistake In Not Keeping Biden Away From Negotiations

Obama's Big Mistake Revealed
US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden leave after Obama spoke on the economy in the East Room of the White House in Washington on November 9, 2012. Obama made his first post-election intervention in a brewing year-end budget and spending crisis, laying out his position in a televised statement ahead of intense bargaining with Republicans. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)
US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden leave after Obama spoke on the economy in the East Room of the White House in Washington on November 9, 2012. Obama made his first post-election intervention in a brewing year-end budget and spending crisis, laying out his position in a televised statement ahead of intense bargaining with Republicans. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Because it turns out Obama made a critical if underappreciated mistake in the final hours of the back and forth: sending Joe Biden to haggle with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell once McConnell's talks with his Democratic counterpart, Harry Reid, had broken down.

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