closing loopholes. so i do think a smaller deal is possible, maybe some modest trims to social safety net programs when it comes to wealthier recipients and also spending cuts and also, of course, immigration reform which i think is an area where there can be serious movement. there is momentum for it in the senate and among the establishment republicans in the house. the big question is, will the conservatives, the tea party coalition in the house block it the way they did with so much having to do with the government funding bill and the debt ceiling debate? you know, greg, you heard jake s analysis. i want to know your analysis and the president and his ability to take on his own party on entitlements. maybe you ll be able to scale back the safety net for wealthier americans. will you get real entitlement reforms? can the president take that on? that s tough. two things i say, christine. number one, i think you can t get a big entitlement deal without revenues and the republican
infrastructure will lead the 21st century. hello, is anybody listening? jake tappeer is our anchor of the league. gentlemen, nice to see you, jake, let me start with you. americans have a real confidence problem here. everyone asks me if the problem right now is obama care or the lack of jobs or washington politics. and the answer is yes. there s just overwhelming negativity right now. how does the white house move forward, jake? well, it s going to be difficult for them. and we saw that with the recent events and the government shutdown and, of course, the debate over the debt ceiling. i think there are a couple of areas of opportunity for the white house to work with congress. one is some sort of budget deal. i don t think that a large scale budget deal is in the cards because republicans seem dead set against any new revenue. and i don t think the white house will go along with any deal that reduces the deficit that doesn t also increase taxes in some way, even if it s