It’s remarkable and scary to watch Republican leaders trying to extract themselves from the box they’re in. They have now figured out that Obama won’t eviscerate health reform under threat — although their base refuses to believe it. They still can’t face the reality that Obama won’t offer any concessions, of any kind, under threat. In an odd way, their attempts to get something by repeating over and over the same old lies and misdirections — we’re not practicing extortion, he’s just refusing to negotiate! — makes me think of the classic tourist, believing that locals will understand English if only you talk loud enough.

I would say that Cantor and Ryan seem, gradually, to be edging toward facing reality. But we don’t have much time. Can they come to grips with the failure of extortion before it’s time to shoot the hostage? I wouldn’t bet on it.