Entitlement Cuts Divide Democrats
The White House and congressional Democrats find their political interests diverging as President Barack Obama presses for a far-reaching deficit-reduction deal, and the fate of any agreement could hinge on the president’s ability to bridge the gulf.
Senior White House officials believe a bipartisan deal that cuts spending while ending narrow tax breaks would boost Mr. Obama’s standing with independent voters, help his claim to be a “postpartisan” problem solver and buoy his re-election chances.