Could this be why Biden entered the fray?

[madfloridian]

From Ryan Grim at Huff Post.

Harry Reid Threw Obama Fiscal Cliff Proposal Into Burning Fireplace

Shortly after 7:00 Saturday evening, the offices of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) were still trading offers. McConnell left the Senate for the night, and Reid's staff said they'd get back to him by mid-morning.

The White House sent Reid a list of suggested concessions as his staff debated what to send back to McConnell. Reid looked over the concessions the administration wanted to offer, crumpled up the paper and tossed it into his fireplace. The gesture was first reported by Politico and confirmed to HuffPost by sources with knowledge of it, who noted that Reid frequently keeps his fire going and is fond of feeding a variety of proposals to it.

Reid's staff then called McConnell's office with a simple message: Our last offer stands. There will be no further concessions. McConnell took to the Senate floor, complaining that he had no "dance partner" in Reid, and called Vice President Joe Biden, a man he assumed would be more willing to give. McConnell was right.

Perhaps the most important concession he wrangled from the administration, which Reid had been unwilling to make, was a two-month extension of the sequester, automatic cuts to defense spending and domestic programs that were supposed to be triggered Jan. 1. Reid wanted much more, worried that the two-month period will simply set up another colossal showdown that will also rope in the debt ceiling and funding for the government. "The deal itself is OK, but sets up Democrats for [a] worse fight and strengthens Republicans' hand for what they really want: cuts," said a Democratic source close to Reid. "Biden gave away the store on timeline. Two months and we're back at this and in worse shape."

[demwing]

1. Again with Huffpo hyperbole

Last edited Wed Jan 2, 2013, 03:13 PM - Edit history (1)

in this deal, we've given little and gained much.

How is that considered giving away the store and leaving us in worse shape? Huffpo reporting smells like a dead dog on a hot day.

[TwilightGardener]

7. Exactly right. HuffPo tries to stir the shit, by any means necessary.

[bigtree]

2. wait

who the fuck is in charge of the Senate? Biden?

[Lochloosa]

8. Actually....Yes, he is.

Under the Constitution, the Vice President is President of the United States Senate.[4] In that capacity, he is allowed to vote in the Senate when necessary to break a tie. While Senate customs have created supermajority rules that have diminished this Constitutional power, the Vice President still retains the ability to influence legislation (e.g. the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005).[4][5][6] Pursuant to the Twelfth Amendment, the Vice President presides over the joint session of Congress when it convenes to count the vote of the Electoral College.[2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vice_President_of_the_United_States

[bigtree]

10. you know that's just used these days to break ties and other semi-functional duties

swearing-in and the like. No way in hell are Senators going to let him assume any more of a role than he already has; as a negotiator or a go-between representative of the WH.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. So, Reid wanted to take advantage of the fiscal cliff leverage they had, which they won't

have in two months? Won't there be less Republicans in the House in two months?

[CakeGrrl]

4. HuffPo - of the "Obama CAVES!" sensationalism

Of course, they put this as the big lede to predictably generate more left handwringing, taking the focus off of GOP anger and infighting over this first phase.

Can't say it doesn't work. To wit...

[madfloridian]

5. There are some very good writers at Huff Post. What sources are acceptable now?

Just like there are some good writers at most media sites.

Could you let me know what is acceptable?

[alcibiades_mystery]

6. And once again, the only real critique of the deal is speculation regarding the next deal

This is really an odd way to do assessment - unless the goal is to be able to say anything, since anything "might happen" next time.

There's no doubt that a 1 year delay on the sequester would have been favorable, but to characterize the two month sequester as giving away the store" is simple nonsense. Simple nonsense. It's very clear that Huff Po has decided - yes, made a conscious editorial decision - to feed some "Obama caved" narrative into all of its stories. This is pure propaganda.

[Harmony Blue]

11. It is a massive victory

if the only critique is about "what about next time"... Call me crazy I will take the real deal any day over speculation or highly unlikely possibilities.

[madfloridian]

9. The sequester matters to companies with government contracts. Layoffs coming.

A recent conversation with someone from a big company...he said that they were relying on Obama's words in which he said there would be no sequester.

The impact will probably now be felt on those awaiting layoffs if contracts don't go through, if there is another waiting period.

I did not realize Huff Post was no longer acceptable here.

[leftstreet]

12. HuffPo is fine

And thanks for posting the article

DURec

[madfloridian]

13. Thanks leftstreet

I thought maybe Huff post was on the bad list.