Boehner to GOP members: “Get your ass in line”

The U.S. debt and default drama today centered on an increasingly frazzled John Boehner.

The House speaker is desperately trying to get fractured rank-and-file Republicans on board for his plan to raise the debt ceiling in an attempt to avert a potential catastrophe in the world's largest economy.

The drama today turned PG-13.

According to the New York Times, Boehner opened a morning meeting of the House Republican caucus with the following order:

"Get your ass in line."

He then listened to their concerns and reportedly tried a little honey with his vinegar:

“This is the bill. I can’t do this job unless you’re behind me,” Boehner said, according to Times' GOP sources who attended the meeting.

At least one prominent Democrat tried to put a positive spin on the latest developments.

“I think we’re going to solve this,” Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois told NBC’s “Today” show.

But Durban also accused some GOP members of bluffing “with other people’s chips.”

“What we’re facing here is a Republican caucus that is basically showing its political bravery by giving up Medicare benefits for elderly people, by increasing the cost of student loans for working families, by cutting money for medical research,” he said.

Meanwhile, the high stakes maneuverings in Washington, D.C. continue.

To follow all the gory details, Business Insider is doing a great job with a live blog on the minute-by-minute developments. 

And for a nuanced look at the GOP's strategy to blame President Obama for the current mess, check out this brainy analysis by GlobalPost's David Case. 

Six days and counting, folks.