Break out the tough stuff from the rest. And it's my impression that it is pretty much what the WH wanted all along (remember all those "I've got the pen" statements in which he urged Congress to just pass the $250K and under extension as a stand-alone)? I think they had to look as if they were trying to get a Grand Bargain--a complete package that addressed both revenues and cuts and tax reform ... but I think they guessed such a bargain was never going to meet with any success in this Congress.

I hope this package works. Will Boehner let it come before the House? All we need are the Democrats plus a couple dozen non-insane Republicans. (Do that many exist? Maybe some of the ones who got defeated won't give a shit anymore.)