extends the debt ceiling for a good period of time, not really clear as to how long this would go, but they like the sound of six months to a year. they really like the sound of that. that, to the white house, is an indication that the threat of default is really now off the table in terms of a negotiating ploy. as for the continuing resolution that would reopen the government, they would prefer something shorter-term. and you'll hear from the republicans. they want the reverse of all this, but the white house would like something in the shorter term variety because it brings this discussion over the sequester, the forced budget cuts, the second round of those kick in early next year. they would like to start talking about that in a budget conferee process. and that is essentially when lawmakers from both sides of capitol hill appoint folks to start working on all this. the white house likes the sound of that all as well. they would like to soften the edges of some of the sequester cuts. the forced budget cuts in a lot of the spending programs they don't like, and there are some republicans who don't like the