JENNIFER RUBIN: A Position, A Plan, And A Walk.
The House Republicans have a position on the debt reform that is substantively sound and politically attuned to their base: cuts greater than the amount which the debt ceiling will be raised. There is no indication that Democrats or the president will accept that.
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R- Ky.) has a plan, which isn’t ideal unless you think a bipartisan deal is possible or you think Republicans won’t be blamed for a default.
The president took a walk, abruptly leaving the White House meeting. Democrats say he was “badgered” by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) Heavens, can’t have that. He also has no viable plan that can pass the House (or even the Senate).
So where are we? Yesterday Cantor reiterated, “Though none of the plans being discussed right now could garner the 218 votes needed for House passage, we have found areas of agreement.” So if not the McConnell plan, then what?
Read the whole thing. And may I suggest that what we really need for the long term is constitutional reform?