According to this LA Times article, President Obama began his bargaining about raising the deficit limit from a position that already gave Republicans most of what they want.
"Even if Obama were to gain all the tax-law changes he wants, new revenue would make up only about 15 cents of each dollar in deficit reduction in the package....Acquiescing to GOP demands would be the third major compromise for Democrats in the past year." Administration officials said the president began discussions at what one senior official called a 'realistic starting point,' not one designed to maximize his bargaining position." The GOP deficit plan would enact zero cuts to the military budget. I, for one, doubt that Pres. Obama will insist on substantial defense budgets either. The situation is grim. |