The result is a stare down to see who blinks first, and who becomes the alpha-dog.

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Depending on who blinks first, the economic sanctions could also be lifted in part or in whole.

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The ultimate answer to "who blinks first" lies in understanding how this crisis has played out over the past two years.

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It is now a question of who blinks first.

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It will be interesting to see who blinks first.

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The Republican Leadership appears to have concluded that a single House of Congress will not by itself be able to win this battle on this legislative vehicle if the outcome of the battle ultimately is to be decided, as it almost certainly will be, by who blinks first on a government shutdown.

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And, of course, it and Microsoft are facing each other down over their next-generation consoles, waiting to see who blinks or leaks first.

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