White House to Broker Budget Talks

[steve2470]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703559604576176441051016496.html

By NAFTALI BENDAVID

WASHINGTON—The White House on Wednesday called on leaders of both parties to join intensive budget negotiations, to be led by Vice President Joseph Biden, in an attempt to avoid a government shutdown.

The high-profile move inserts the White House in an aggressive way into the battles over federal spending, following criticism from both parties that President Barack Obama has not been sufficiently involved.

The talks are expected to start as early as Thursday. While Republicans did not immediately respond to the White House call for talks, some GOP lawmakers said they would presumably accept. "I think it's great if they want to talk," said Rep. Steven LaTourette (R., Ohio).

Earlier Wednesday, the Senate joined the House in passing legislation to fund government operations for two additional weeks, giving the two sides until March 18 to reach a deal on a funding plan for the 6 ½ months remaining in the fiscal year that ends Sept. 30. Mr. Obama signed the measure into law on Wednesday afternoon.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. I am glad Biden is involved. He has smarts

in greater amounts than most GOP senators, and more than all GOP congresscritters.
But . . . where the HELL is Obama? Does he think that waving from afar, giving his distant blessing and quiet, uninvolved nod to proceed, will make middle of the roaders or liberals excited about his presidency?