They've Got Nothing (For Now)

Republicans:

The top Senate Republican sought Thursday to clarify his party’s stance on Medicare heading into high-stakes talks with the White House, telling President Obama he wants “significant” changes to the program in exchange for lifting the legal limit on government borrowing.

Translation: St. Paul's Medicare privatization scheme has been a political disaster for us so you call for medicare cuts instead.

In recent days, McConnell has made clear that he is willing to cooperate with the White House in drafting a “grand bargain” to help push a debt-limit increase through a reluctant Congress, as long as it includes sharp cuts in both agency and entitlement spending. McConnell said he views the debt-limit debate as a critical opportunity for the parties to work together to accomplish something that would otherwise be impossible politically.

Translation: By "grand bargain" we mean we have an opportunity to screw 98% of the American public in order to salve the considerable hurts of the remaining 2% but only so long as we can blame you for the political fallout.

McConnell and other Republicans described their 75-minute meeting with Obama as “productive,” with several urging the president to tell Democrats to stop bashing the House GOP Medicare plan, which polls show to be deeply unpopular.

Translation: Stop pointing out that our policies are deeply unpopular!

Obama and the Congressional Democrats have all the power here. I just wish I could muster the slightest confidence that they won't deal it all away.

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