Mike Johanns: There's a 'change in mood' on tax increases in GOP

Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE)

Yesterday, Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Pat Roberts suggested that they just might be open to the Democrats' pay-for for the payroll tax cut extension, a small surtax on millionaires. They're joined today by fellow GOP Senator Mike Johanns (NE), who says he sees a "change in mood" among Republicans.

"I sense a change in mood," Senator Mike Johanns, Republican of Nebraska, said Wednesday. "It's a little more bipartisan. My position has always been, 'Let's not raise taxes,' but on the other hand, I don't want our country to collapse under a mountain of debt. If that means compromise, I am going to do everything to get that done."

Three cheers for the recognition that higher taxes could reduce that "mountain of debt." That's a connection that very few Republicans seem keen to acknowledge. But this is another case of "I'll believe it when I see it." Note that no House Republicans have shown any bending toward this solution. But here's where a relentless focus on the GOP's allegiance to Grover Norquist and protecting the rich has paid some dividends: these Republicans see the need to at least pretend like they'd consider increasing taxes.