Moving expectations

There seems to be a hint of compromise coming out of the republicans after the preview of the president's budget for this year.  By moving the conversation in a leftward direction, Obama has finally realized the futility of trying to anticipate what Congress is willing to tolerate.  Offering a compromise ahead of any debate is a sure way to have the republicans move the goalposts to the right.  Laying out a moderate progressive agenda has Boehner and company scrambling to appear reasonable.  Perhaps a real legislative compromise palatable to both partners in governance can finally be reached.  Even Newt Gingrich and his bomb throwers would have seen something they could work with.  It remains to be seen if the new, radical right republicans of today can be seen as treating with the Muslim, Kenyan usurper.