states. the white house to have any cuts to social security, it's a sign that both parties in washington have made it a decision to have a do-no-harm strategy ahead of the 2014 elections. it's clear the white house budget will be a political document, not one that is supposed to be seriously debated and implemented. and democrats are not the only ones playing this prevent defense. speaker boehner recently signaled he has no interest in a divisive policy debate in his own party, for instance on immigration. neither part has any appetite for legislative fights, let alone fights that could actually divide their own -- members of their own party on the campaign trail. if you're looking for a serious policy debate on the minimum wage or on education reform or on pension reform or tax reform or energy, then you have no choice but to look to the states. this weekend, the governors are in town, and they're bringing their policy ideas. the bipartisan national governors association's winter meeting kicks off officially tomorrow with a focus on sharing policies that are working on the