Rahm Slams McConnell's Offer

It must be the end of the year if party leaders are trading barbs like these.

Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel of Illinois accused Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of favoring earmarks over cancer cures, veterans' health care and 50,000 new American teachers Tuesday after the Kentucky Republican suggested a one percent across-the-board cut on all domestic discretionary spending to wrap-up a year-end spending fight.

Under McConnell's plan, the bill should also include an unfettered $70 billion for the war in Iraq and each of the more than $9 billion worth of earmarks that House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) has threatened to cut.

“First Mitch McConnell sides with the White House and insists on a blank check for Iraq," Emanuel said in a statement. "Now he's fighting for earmarks over funding for cancer cures, the veterans' health care crisis, and 50,000 new American teachers.

"Under Senator McConnell's budget proposal," the outspoken Democratic leader continued, "Iraq and his own re-election campaign would come first, while America's health care and education needs would come last. When the American people called for change in 2006, it was not to maintain the status quo in Iraq and the status quo in Washington.”

So does this mean they're close to a deal...?