about the deficit, well, i mean how can you even keep up with it? >> with senate democrats headed to the white house this afternoon, vice president biden was cheerful if not conclusive yesterday on where his debt talks will lead. >> i remain optimistic. we had a really good discussion. we have set an agenda for the next meeting, and we're making real process. whether we get to the finish line with this group is another question. we're going through what we agree on, what we disagree on then we'll go back after that is all over and figure out what the big chunks left, whether we can make any compromise. >> what do you agree on? >> we agree on a lot and i'll tell you when it's over. >> that's one gang. we have a gang of six and we got a gang of this. we'll bring in a gang of two. carl hall from "the new york times." >> good morning. >> reid wilson, editor in chief of "the national journal's" hot line. carl, what got done yesterday behind the scenes? we know vice president biden says he's always -- has to be