The basic problem with that logic is that default sends tens of millions of Americans into the arms of a government ... that can’t borrow money in order to support them.
The only way that a default results in more power for Obama is if it allows him to declare martial law. But there aren’t enough federal law enforcement AND military, combined (including a federalzed national guard( to cover the cities ... let alone the suburbs and rural areas. Which is where the money and the food is (respectively).
This is a giant game of high stakes chicken. But it’s much more in the interest - long term - to the Cruzes of the world to have a default. Because it completely unercuts the financial foundation of the welfare state.
Yes, he intends to fully crash the system,
make things so bad for people that they cry out for government to
save them.