The republicans have given Obama the stage to act like the tough guy in holding the line and forcing the mandatory cuts to go into effect. The media will not mention that the action doesn’t take place until 2013 or that he will change his tune after he gets reelected!
It doesn’t matter. Obama is bluffing. As a defender of the welfare/warfare state, he doesn’t really want the automatic cuts. The GOP should call his bluff and embrace sequestration. They have an opportunity to paint him in a corner if they do this.