MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL US stocks struggled to hold on to gains made yesterday after Washington lawmakers agreed to a deal to avert the fiscal cliff. With one fiscal crisis over investors were concerned about a likely debt ceiling battle between Democrats and Republicans later this year.   "Given the track record of the current Washington crew we can be sure we will go right to the brink and flirt with default before we reach yet another piecemeal accord " said Julia Coronado chief North American economist at BNP Paribas according to TheStreet. "As in 2011 the battle over the debt ...