Think the Pubbies really care about us and deficit reduction?

The Republicans had a shot at both real deficit reduction and political gains during the deficit "showdown", and they walked away from a winning deal. This article underscores what I thought at the time.

Around the Halls: President Obama's Deficit Reduction Plan and the Super Committee

It gives the short views of many different analysts about the President's recently revealed and immediately vilified deficit reduction plan.

The best, from Jonathan Rauch -- and why the Republicans blew it for them and for us, big time:

"Obama's proposal makes even clearer what had already become evident, namely that conservative Republicans missed a major opportunity for the country—and a great political opportunity for themselves—when they walked out of deficit talks last summer. The president was apparently prepared to sign off on serious reductions to Medicare, including increasing the eligibility age: the sort of structural reform which Republicans are right to think absolutely must be made to Medicare, but which cannot realistically happen without bipartisan support. Obama could then have pushed a plan through the Democratic-controlled Senate, putting Democrats' imprimatur on Medicare reform, a political prize of high value both to Republicans and to spending hawks."