First Read notes the current negotiations over avoiding the “fiscal cliff” essentially amounts “to running in
circles, because the real negotiations won’t take place until
mid-to-late December. The reason: Washington typically needs hard
deadlines to force members to act. But there is something quite
significant that’s going on during this running-in-circles period.
Republicans and Democrats are beginning to prepare their own bases for
what the deal will ultimately look like.”
National Journal:
“The Kumbaya rhetoric and photo-ops between President Obama and
congressional leaders surrounding the so-called fiscal cliff are
starting to wear thin. … For all of the optimism surrounding the initial
meetings between leaders, very little progress has been made….”
Politico:
“This is the public relations phase of the latest fiscal showdown in
Washington, where direct engagement is no longer viewed as the optimal
route to reaching a deal. As Wall Street shudders and Congress once
again risks looking feckless in the face of crisis, both sides are
locked in a battle to win over key interest groups — and the public.”