but leon panetta has expressed concerns. one of the key players is senator pat toou mee. he's been talking about where things stand. >> the $1.2 trillion in cuts are necessary. but the composition is something we could improve upon. the amount that's currently planned for defense is way too high. in the event that we're not successful, i think it's important that we recon figure. >> reporter: one of the issues that makes this sort of washington crisis a little different than ones we have seen before is this kind of a brink point. if they do fail, the government doesn't shut down. people don't automatically lose their jobs. that kind of a lack of urgency has made it more complicated. you have traditional divides over taxes and how much change to domestic programs should take place. it's not looking all that promising this morning. >> quick question.