Spring-Training Caving Begins

So, about last night… Here’s all you need to know:

Reid and McConnell are now negotiating the terms of a short-term spending bill that can pass unanimously, punting the issue of federal funding into next year when the Republican House will likely demand significant spending cuts.

In other words, if you’re looking forward to a replay of the 1995 Clinton-Gingrich Rumble in the Jungle, time to start stocking up your Netflix queue instead: The 112th Congress hasn’t even begun, and already Democrats are scrambling in fear of a threatened government shutdown.

What failed last night because of shocking! Republican intransigence was the bog-standard annual spending bill, a $1.1 trillion cornucopia festooned with earmarks from both parties, but still meeting Mitch the Turtle’s budget target. (Democrats are adorable for taking Republicans at their word!)

The bill failed — with a majority, of course, because that’s what the Founders wanted.

Faced with that failure — with the Republican insistence on cutting off the government’s allowance — Harry Reid, with The Preznit’s blessing, could have granted the point, congratulated Republicans on their historic victory, and let the government come to a screeching halt now, because it’s very impious to even think of working when the Baby Jesus is celebrating a pagan anniversary.

But no, after being mugged on the Senate floor, he’s working with the mugger to devise a plan that will make the next mugging even easier.

What did Barry say the other day about standing up to Republicans? Honestly, we don’t remember. There’s already too much useless trivia rattling inside our head.

After Spending Bill Implodes, Reid Schedules Vote on DADT Repeal [TPM]

Image Scout: mellbell