(CNN) -- With no time left on the clock, members of Congress finally reached a deal that would reopen the federal government and raise the debt ceiling. As the world watched Congress stumble and tumble toward the brink of default, Senate Democrats and Republicans finally agreed on a deal that gained enough support in the House to bring this episode to a close. Some Democrats and pundits have concluded that Democrats are walking away the victors. They correctly argue that the Republican Party has become so damaged in the polls as a result of their hardball tactics that they are extremely vulnerable in the 2014 midterms and could very well suffer in the presidential election of 2016 as a result of these debates.
@highlight
A deal will reopen government and avert a default on U.S. debt
@highlight
Julian Zelizer: Some have argued the deal is a total Democratic win
@highlight
He says the reality is GOP can continue to make budget cutting dominant issue in Washington
@highlight
Zelizer: GOP can use same tactics in 2014 to force Obama to focus on their concerns
Congress
Congress
@placeholder and the administration will now embark on more extensive discussions about budget reform that will consume the attention of both parties until the middle of January.
Congress
Congress
Furthermore, the current deal simply postpones any decision and actually sets up another round of fights when @placeholder returns from its winter break in December.
Senate Democrats
The deal that emerged from the @placeholder is simply a continuation of the kind of political chaos that we have witnessed since the 2010 midterms.