Deficit talks between Dems and centrist Republicans on life support

“It’s not even limping along,” Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said of the talks. “For that you would have to have a process in place.”

Corker acknowledged he talked with White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough about raising the $16.4 trillion debt ceiling as recently as Saturday night, but said discussions have yet to get beyond the big picture.

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) likewise said it would be a mistake to think the talks are over.

“The talks have never been dead. I talked to Denis last night,” Isakson told The Hill on Tuesday.

But he said the two sides remain focused on “macro issues,” and have moved no closer to specific solutions to reduce spending and raise the debt ceiling.