I believe that many at DailyKos might believe that the Presidents speech of yesterday is where the final deficit reduction plan will end up. I'm afraid I must strongly disagree. In no negotiation does one side get everything, and the other side gets nothing. The usual result, and the previous results from negotiations with this administration, tend to have the end point not only in the middle, but even to the right of the middle.
The center between the Presidents plan and the Ryan plan appears to be Simpson/Bowles. I would fully expect that this is where we'll end up, or even to the right of this. I anticipate the gang of 6 will come out with a plan that is also very close to Simpson/Bowels, which will then allow for some wiggle room.
So as Progressives, what can we do?
Today, the progressive caucus will, once again, try to bring their far more liberal plan to the media. This is a plan that is a good deal to the left of Obama's. See the Chris Bowers diary here for a good explanation:
The Peoples budget
This is about strategy. If you think the Simpsons/Bowles plan will move the country more toward the ideals of the Progressives than the Conservatives, then you should support the plan the President presented yesterday. But if you believe the Presidents plan moves the country closer to where it needs to be, then you should strongly support the Peoples budget that will be presented today.
I know this sounds pretty confusing. But this is how are political game is played. This is why they say the two things you don't want to see being made are legislation and sausage. The end of the negotiations will be somewhere in the middle, and I want the Presidents plan to be the end plan so I want it to be in the middle.
If you liked the Presidents plan, and I did, than I strongly urge all progressives to come out strongly in support of the Progressive caucus People's budget. Not only should you support it, you should write and call your representatives and demand nothing less than the Peoples budget. The President needs to have strong pressure from the left so he can effectively negotiate toward his plan.
If you come out in support of the Presidents plan, you will end up close to the Simpson/Bowles plan. If you support the Peoples budget, you will end up much closer to the Presidents plan.