Foes Plan Post-Vote Deals

Parties Debate Conservative Tax, Spending Compromises as GOP Win Looms

By LAURA MECKLER And PETER WALLSTEN
WSJ

WASHINGTON—Politicians from both parties are debating ideas on taxes and spending that move the discussion to the right, putting pressure on the White House and top Democrats to work with a newly empowered Republican Party after Tuesday's election.

Sen. Russell Feingold of Wisconsin, a liberal Democrat who is trailing in his reelection bid, is working with Sen. Tom Coburn (R., Okla.), a tea-party hero, on new legislation to trim billions in federal subsidies and other spending programs, Mr. Coburn said in an interview.

Two other Democratic Senate candidates, Chris Coons of Delaware and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, are bucking the Obama administration's bid to let the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire, as momentum builds for a broader extension of the cuts. Vice President Joe Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky) have suggested they see room for negotiations on taxes and trade.

Mr. Coburn said both parties would feel pressure to respond to voters' apparent desire for spending cuts, giving lawmakers incentives to work together. Democrats "will be looking over their shoulder at 2012," he said. And "if the Republicans don't respond to what the vast majority of Americans want in terms of downsizing and limiting the federal government, I think the Republicans will be history."

(More here.)