After what has been an incredibly busy month and a half, I'm happy to finally have a chance to catch up on my blog. Though I've been spending more time on the Hill than almost ever in my career, thus far my meetings have exceeded my expectations.
A surprising number of new members are aware of their Community Action Agency and are willing to help, so it has been encouraging. I also continue to receive phone calls and offers of assistance from former members of congress, especially from members of the Republican party. It has been one of the pleasant surprises of the year.
OMB Director Jack Lew has been coming up a lot in conversations on the hill as well. It appears he’s off to a good start; members on both sides of the aisle seem to think highly of him.
A surprising number of new members are aware of their Community Action Agency and are willing to help, so it has been encouraging. I also continue to receive phone calls and offers of assistance from former members of congress, especially from members of the Republican party. It has been one of the pleasant surprises of the year.
OMB Director Jack Lew has been coming up a lot in conversations on the hill as well. It appears he’s off to a good start; members on both sides of the aisle seem to think highly of him.
I have however been struck by the differences I've encountered within parties. A senior Republican may favor striking a deal on a CR, or those freshman expecting a tough reelection in 2012 may want to get the CR battle behind them, whereas a freshman republican in a safe congressional district is willing to drag the battle on indefinitely.
I have an eerie feeling that the battle on the CR is but a warm up for a huge battle on the FY2012 budget. All indications are it’s going to be a donnybrook of incredible proportions. I think the budget battle, especially in the House, will test our budding bipartisan coalition to the maximum extent.
