This is an interesting idea to counter the piecemeal strategy of the GOP

[Kber]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/10/02/how-dems-could-play-procedural-hardball-in-shutdown-fight/

Republicans are expected to vote today on piecemeal funding of the government, including a measure funding the National Institutes of Health. Senate Dems will spike this measure, and House Republicans will accuse them of refusing to help children with cancer, as they already have done today.

Ornstein says Senate Dems could take that NIH measure, and amend it to restore funding to original pre-sequester levels, and send that back to the House. Republicans would then have to vote for higher funding (angering conservatives) or allow Dems to accuse them of refusing to fund the NIH. “Amend it to fund NIH at a robust level for a full year, send that back to the House, and make them explain why they don’t want to fund research grants,” Ornstein says. Remember, sequester cuts to NIH are already taking a toll.

House Republicans are set to vote on other piecemeal measures, such as bills funding national parks, veterans programs, and payments to the National Guard. Ornstein says Senate Dems could theoretically take one of those and attach the Senate Dems’ “clean CR” funding the whole government at sequester levels, and challenge Republicans to vote against that.

[jmellman]

1. Great idea

The Dems have to be careful because the "liberal media" will start to sound the alarms and media equivalency will start up again. OTOH, you have a great idea.

[Kber]

2. It's not my idea - I'm just reposting it

but I think it has some promise, at least from a message / meme perspective.