> Laurence O'Donnell on MSNBC has been putting forward a theory about
> Obama's plans here, which is premised on the idea that Obama thinks the
> Republicans are so opposed to him, they'll reject anything he offers, so
> he can make himself look "reasonable" and "bipartisan" by conceding
> anything at all, without having to actually go through with it.
I think this is exactly right. I think you have to accept that or accept that he really does want to cut MC and SS. Or actually you can accept both: he can make that offer because he wins either way.