Halperin's Take

It is always dangerous to presume motives. And it is overly cynical to say politicians always put political concerns above the national interest. And/but ask yourself, which of these officeholders are so eager for a budget deal (actually a SERIES of budget deals) that they are willing to risk alienating their base: Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, John Boehner, Barack Obama, Tom Coburn, Dick Durbin, Chuck Schumer and Eric Cantor. That's the right question, and the right standard.