Why does this article suggest the leadership in BOTH parties are backpedaling??? The GOP has been preaching fiscal responsibilty for several years now and demanding that there be subsequent cuts in spending EVERY time we have to raise the debt ceiling, including NOW!! ....but they lost the election and the "annointed one" feels he has a mandate now and the GOP is boxed in over tax cuts fo the rich.even thought it will definitely lead to a recession and not resolve our income problem!! This ADMIN is suicidal over spending and apparently greater than 50% of the voting public is WILLING TO follow them over the cliff and the GOP can do nothing but stare in DISBELIEF or go EXTINCT!! What a wonderful WORLD!!

Marita, Where have you been???....out of this world?? The GOP has been complaining about not maximizing our energy potential forever and all across the board!! This administration has done EVERYTHING in it's power to throttle back on COAL, NATURAL GAS and OIL and GAS production in the name of clean air and water, with stifling EPA regulations, as if there was a realistic correlation between same. This admin has failed to allow the pipeline, failed to maximize oil exploration and production offshore of numerous states and in fact sells permits allowing other countries to drill inside our limits. It's just another indication that collectively this administration still fails to recognize the first clue as to how to kick this economy into GEAR!