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Have they nod looked at the polls, maybe they are choosing their own before the election, but not only are they not looking at the same numbers, but they are trying to address a different problem. they think entitlements are the only thing that matters. that's the longer term issue. it isn't even dealing with the deficit problem that needs to be dealt with. as long as they are engaging, something is going to move here. >> molly, the priorities in these plans couldn't be more different with republicans getting almost everything through cuts. how could the white house begin to accept this at any...

They think the republicans will cave on everything. i think republicans should walk away. >> eric: so on tuesday, i remember -- >> andrea: i floated the idea and i said why can't republicans vote present? let obama have his bill or not show up. a lot of members wouldn't show. they would book dentist appointment or pull a hamstring and let him get his way and own the fiscal cliff debacle. >> eric: it's not a bad call. this could be terrible for the economy and hurt jobs and businesses. but honestly, if you are ready, america, if you are ready, hold your nose, take a deep breath and take the med...

About a long-term deficit problem. we've got a deficit problem right now that you can deal with right now with taxes. going up on this particular bloc. that is not a small thing for the deficit right now. that's what we're talking about. >> oh, i know. >> we have to deal with the short-term deficit and a long-term one. >> that's why i've said around this table republicans should be more responsible about bringing in more revenue. but i will be damned if i will support any tax increase that is not met with serious spending cuts. and no party, republicans -- >> agreed. >> -- or democrats ever pu...

Rarefied air so much, you kind of get intoxicated, but the reality is still the reality. and businesses and individuals make these choices. and yet you have some folks out here, as you just showed, consumers are, like, okay, i can still get my iphone, and i can still go on and do the things i do to help this economy churn. businesses have pulled back a little bit, but no one has this sense of, you know, understanding and appreciating exactly what happens. >> my rue is that going over the cliff is only the second worst outcome from this mess. the worst outcome from this mess would be just to pu...

Cliff, you need to address the drivers of our debt. >> we know that the only way we can solve our long-term debt and deficit problem is to fix the unsustainable growth rates of our very popular entitlement programs. the president has from time to time indicated an openness to that. now is the time to actually do it. >> 42 business groups sent a letter to leaders of congress asking them to do tax reform to lower tax rates and also address entitlement reforms. >> shepard: democrats say they want more revenue, more taxes here. what about entitlement changes? >> well, any time you start talking ab...