Twas 19 nights before Christmas and all through the Senate and House, not a long-term spending or coronavirus deal was stirring, but hopes for both were not yet doused.
The sharply worded Monday statements were written for, then delivered by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer with care – in hopes the television cameras would be there.
The moderates – now driving the talks – were working so hard few were sleeping in their beds. While visions of celebratory press conferences danced in their heads.
Mr McConnell and Mr Schumer accused each other of setting a trap. If you’re tired of this annual holiday season sniping, I’d suggest a two-week nap.
Expect more posturing and name-calling, a daily partisan clatter. There will be a moment when hopes for a deal plummet, with too many differences seemingly the matter.
Then in will ride a senator like a flash, speaking truth and pulling back the negotiating room sash.
For a day or two, the odds of a deal will be lower than the chance for a Washington snow. But then someone will propose a way out, and hopes will suddenly grow.
After two very noisy weeks, votes in both chambers will magically appear. Maybe they will send the passed bill to the White House by reindeer.
But trouble could lie ahead as the bill’s fate would then be up to Donald Trump, his Twitter fingers so lively and quick. Will the outgoing president be more Grinch than Saint Nick?
