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Senate “gang of eight” plots secret retreat to discuss deal on fiscal cliff

For this round of talks, the bipartisan group has added Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), a former member of Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) leadership team, and Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), who has grown close to Obama as he tries to capture Colorado this election season.

Senate insiders confirmed the upcoming session, although the group will not disclose its location.

“This group continues to meet and work toward a bipartisan solution,” Warner spokesman Kevin Hall said.

Other Gang of Six members include Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.).

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*yawn*

Bitter Clinger on October 3, 2012 at 1:54 PM

Saboteurs.

portlandon on October 3, 2012 at 1:55 PM

But did they get clearance from The Only Member of Congress Who Matters, Dingy Harry Reid?

Steve Eggleston on October 3, 2012 at 1:55 PM

BO will take us right to the edge and over if he doesn’t get tax hikes on “the rich” all while blaming republicans.

booter on October 3, 2012 at 1:55 PM

Answer to the question above:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), McConnell and other top senators have encouraged the talks to continue — largely because they have nothing to lose. These bipartisan groups typically don’t have much real power — in fact, last time, they were blamed for scuttling a deal between Obama and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) after they proposed higher revenue targets than agreed to by the principals.

More smoke and mirrors encouraged by Dingy Harry and Mini-Cave McConnell to spread the blame to the GOP Senate.

Steve Eggleston on October 3, 2012 at 1:57 PM

Hold on while I shake my magic Senate 8 ball:
*shake*

More spending now, raise taxes later

gwelf on October 3, 2012 at 1:58 PM

Start bending over, America

Chuck Schick on October 3, 2012 at 2:00 PM

I am so tired of these closed door meetings and secret backroom deals. I am not naive, I know that is how politics works, but usually, they at least pretend to debate budgets on their merits on the floors of their chambers. They are also supposed to give us time to review.

cep on October 3, 2012 at 2:01 PM

4 demorats and 4 republicans go to secret meeting, 4 demorats leave seen smiling, 4 republicans leave rubbing their a$$es.

Skwor on October 3, 2012 at 2:01 PM

So, now all legislation will start at the progressive end of the field and be negotiated towards the progressive goal?

55 seats is the minimum we need to get anything remotely conservative passed!

astonerii on October 3, 2012 at 2:02 PM

Theyre going to release a plan on Dec. 27 and tell everyone that we have to pass it or face doom.. sick of it

El_Terrible on October 3, 2012 at 2:03 PM

Tom Coburn is a good guy. Not sure about what the others might get up to, but he’ll fight for sanity, and might be able to torpedo anything especially egregious.

peski on October 3, 2012 at 2:03 PM

This committee will spend the next 12 weeks deliberating and their conclusion will be to create a sub committee to deal with the problem. That sub committee will then spend 16 weeks coming to the conclusion that they need a sub-sub committee to further study it.

How about doing your damn jobs, you fools? I hate politicians.

Bishop on October 3, 2012 at 2:05 PM

Transparency be damned. The outcome will be more of the same regardless of what statist brick wins the general election. Republicans will continue to talk about tax cuts and Democrats will continue to talk about tax increases. But in the end, no pun intended, we are all going to get screwed because of this one party system designed around welfare and warfare.

MoreLiberty on October 3, 2012 at 2:07 PM

Theyre going to release a plan on Dec. 27 and tell everyone that we have to pass it or face doom.. sick of it

El_Terrible on October 3, 2012 at 2:03 PM

I’ll take what’s behind curtain #2 please.

Also, this sequestration pisses me off. Who signed off on this nuclear option? How did this get put into place anyway? Who voted and thought it was a good idea?

cep on October 3, 2012 at 2:07 PM

A secret cabal of statists? Well, we’ve never tried to solve a problem like that before so let’s give it a shot.

Heartbroken we don’t have more pure-blooded RINOs in the mix though.

CorporatePiggy on October 3, 2012 at 2:10 PM

And politico tries to paint a picture of difficulty, struggle and hardship for the GOP if they gain control of it all. Really?

stukinIL4now on October 3, 2012 at 2:12 PM

“Also, this sequestration pisses me off. Who signed off on this nuclear option?”

Yeah, screw the “making some deal”. All they need is one bill that reinstates Defense spending till the budget cuts go through the proper constitutional steps that demand it.

lowandslow on October 3, 2012 at 2:15 PM

I feel better already.

John the Libertarian on October 3, 2012 at 2:22 PM

oh gawd, chambliss is there, so you know this will be a sellout for the gop

gatorboy on October 3, 2012 at 2:24 PM

Am I the only one who sees Obama potentially folding his arms in a temper tantrum if he doesn’t get re-elected, and lets this happen to “punish” us?

Red Cloud on October 3, 2012 at 3:17 PM