All framers, spinners, PR specialists should report for duty. The Democrats have a budget issue that could hang Republicans out to dry. Trouble is, it's an issue in which centrist Dems (read DINO) are also due for hanging. And that's military spending.
Liberal Democrats for years have called for cuts to the massive defense budget to no avail. Even after Democrats regained control of Congress in 2007, their few attempts at reining in defense spending have proven futile, partly because of opposition from centrist Democrats hawkish on defense issues.
Those centrist Dems may give in, according to The Hill, as may many Republicans who, uncomfortable with cuts in the military budget, are feeling pressure from the Tea Party.
While some Republicans will certainly balk at cutting the Pentagon's budget, others might be reticent because cutting government spending is a top priority of the Tea Party movement.Hoyer, meanwhile, is ready to double down.
According to aides, the majority leader will reiterate his point Monday to a potentially less receptive audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he will not shy away from declaring that Congress has no choice but to stop thinking about defense spending as untouchable.
This is an important political move for Democrats, a potential winner. Where is that smooth team of Democratic talking point specialists? They need to move before Republicans step in and muddy the issue.
