Democratic strategists suggest there’s a method behind Obama’s tough talk, which left outraged Senate Republicans blocking the chamber’s business and left talks over raising the nation’s $14.3 trillion debt ceiling mired in partisan squabbling.

By comparing Republicans to his children and challenging them to “get it done,” Obama might have mollified Democrats to the point that he can negotiate more with Republicans on taxes, these political strategists say.

“If the president is in a veritable fight with the Republicans, the left will give him a lot more room to make a deal,” said one Democrat. “To be sure, the left likes this President Obama a lot more than the post-partisan brand.”

Others, however, say Democrats have been down this road with Obama too many times before — tough talk preceding a disappointing compromise — and fiery rhetoric won’t cut it this time.