Reply #18: Sad to see they try to create an artificial dissension between Dems.,

[Mass]

Sorry, no Dem in MA finds this bill good. Some are trying to create a hope it will be less bad than expected ("manageable"), but that is all.

Kerry said the committee could be a “game-changer,” depending on which lawmakers are appointed. Republicans and Democrats have looked to the committee to salvage many of the priorities that were excluded from the initial deal. If the committee is unable to reach agreement by a Nov. 23 deadline, an automatic round of $1.2 trillion in addition spending cuts would take effect Jan. 1, 2013, the same day a series of Bush-era tax cuts are due to expire. The White House expressed hope the synchronization of those two dates would “create pressure for a balanced deal” within the committee.
In a conference call, Kerry said he hoped Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell would appoint “thoughtful people” to the committee, cautioning that efforts by the GOP to “cook the committee” with members who are unwilling to be open-minded and negotiate in good faith would make it difficult. “Any credibility is going to depend on the overall membership,” said Kerry.

True, but it will also depend of whom Reid appoints. We should not forget that, in 2009, Conrad and Warner tried to hold the debt ceiling hostage from a commission that would make cuts and cut entitlements. They are less stupid than the Tea Party, so they relented, but if they are on this commission, it will not help than McConnell appoints reasonable members.