http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/11/opinion/11krugman.html?ref=opinion

"You might have expected the president’s team not just to reject this proposal, but to see it as a big fat political target. But while the G.O.P. proposal has drawn fire from a number of Democrats — including a harsh condemnation from Senator Max Baucus, a centrist who has often worked with Republicans — the White House response was a statement from the press secretary expressing mild disapproval".

Congress has a part too.  This is not wrangling, this is war.