How Tim Geithner can dodge the next debt crisis

To avoid the fiscal cliff, Congress will have to reach a compromise. Bear in mind, it’s basically the same House of Representatives that almost let the Treasury default on its obligations, so there are some who feel Congress won’t be able to keep from going over the cliff. If that becomes the case, the government will need a loan if it wants to continue paying its bills. Such a loan would probably not be officially sanctioned, which means it will require the finesse of a Wall Street dealmaker, not a government policy wonk.