The Hammer Shot

In the sport of curling, there are two teams.  Each team throws a stone.  The red team throws one, then the yellow team, then red etc.  The final shot is called "the hammer".  The team with "the hammer" shot has a tremendous advantage and often wins because of it.  Sometimes during a game, teams will purposely let the other team win points just to ensure themselves the privilege of having "the hammer" shot. 

Politics is just the same way.  The Republicans and Democrats are both willing to let the economy suffer to ensure they getting "the hammer" in the next election.  For example, the Republicans might be setting the Dems up for ultimate failure and sure loss, even it if means messing up the economic game just a little bit more right now. And vice versa.

But I've only been curling for three years which, now that I think of it, is one more than Obama has been playing El Presidente.  One thing I know, strategy is everything.  The winners know how they're going to win, and they know from the beginning of the game.