"Fairness" is keeping your promises.
So the obvious conclusion is that Obama is not willing to negotiate in good faith. He is instead treating this as a contest of wills, instead of considering what is best for the country.
Note that Boehner hasn't done anything more than make a counter-offer. And had it smacked down hard by the other side.
What does it matter to Obama whether the line is at a quarter million or one million? Is this a backhand slap at his union support? Or does he think that the GSA schedule is too generous to upper-echelon executive-branch employees?
Yes, it’s a contest of wills and obama is enjoying every minute of it. He thinks he has a mandate and can do as he pleases. He likes to see the Repuplicans squirm.. he thinks it makes them look weak, and him with power.