the president is, quote, ever hopeful. but as you have the private conversations with aides here at the white house, they make it very clear they're continuing to focus on the same priority which is to try to convince the american public that compromise, a balanced approach, is the way to go on this. hoping that the public ultimately will influence congress. congressional republicans to back down from their positions right now. you know, we do as we head in to tomorrow have been focusing on this is happening sort of like an overnight thing but the white house is almost backed off that language to some degree and just yesterday the president said last evening before an event with the business council, he said this is not a cliff but more like a tumble downward. the white house is anxious that many americans who do not see immediate impacts in the first few days or weeks may think this is much ado about nothing but confident the americans will feel the pain of sequester if not dealt with soon. >> and luke, when's the capitol side of this? >> reporter: the house of