Don't you think any cuts Obama suggested they were going to take anyway? Of course, if that is enough for you determine that this was a Republican defeat, I'm OK with that. The Republicans get to cut, and the Democrats get to claim victory without getting anything they want.
I'm more than willing to give Republicans credit for shifting their demands and adopting Dem's ideas about cuts. That's called bipartisanship.
According to Tim Pawlenty, though, the process ends March 18th. He and the future president, Newt, believe a shutdown is necessary.
deja vu!