Dick Durbin said this morning that Medicare should be left alone before January 1st and not be a part of a deal.
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/...
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) maintained his position that reforming Medicare should not be part of a debt deal by the end of the year, during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday.
"We need to address that in a thoughtful way through the committee structure after the first of the year," he said, arguing that that could not be done in the few weeks left to avert the fiscal cliff.
Dick Durbin is close to the Obama administration and was frequently in sync with how President Obama approached governing and ideas during much of his first term. Dick Durbin has been known to flirt nicely with GOP ideas and "bring them together". He would go on national media sources much to our annoyances.
However this time, his message is not drifting towards the ideas that enrage us progressives and Americans. Lastly, progressive groups have not been doubtful of President Obama before Ezra Klein speculated. Frequently, in President Obama's first term, when bills were not going to be as progressive as we wanted them to be, progressive groups who frequently met with the White house would express doubt, concern, and suspicion frequently. I have seen NONE of that since Obama won re-election.
Recently, progressive groups said this:
The attendee tells me the White House is cool to the idea of going over the cliff, but added: “Would they if it’s between that and compromising their core principles? I was left with the impression that they would.”
“They remain in the same place: They expect taxes to go up on the wealthy and to protect Medicare and Medicaid benefits,” the attendee added. “They feel confident that they don’t have to compromise.”
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Even progressives who are most skeptical and suspicious of Democrats and President Obama rec'ed this diary/source.
Dick Durbin's statements seem to indicate that nothing has changed regarding the Democrats' positions and President Obama. In fact, his statements should reinforce that Democrats and President Obama are holding tight via pressure from the left and will NOT cave/play nice with GOP bad ideas again.
Nevertheless, I do give legitimacy to the fact that Ezra is smart and has been right many times as to how things are working behind the scenes. Keep the left pressure going and reinforced.
However, because of current context, Dick Durbin's statements, and the fact that Ezra has been wrong before (i.e he speculated this most recent jobs report would be worse and he is currently wrong that Nancy is not a firm no on medicare cuts, SS cuts, etc) I think it is premature to panic.