CHEERS ... to U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho. Along with "Gang of Six" Republicans Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, and Democrats Dick Durbin of Illinois, Mark Warner of Virginia and Ken Conrad of North Dakota, Crapo struck a budget deal to shave nearly $4 trillion in deficits - $3 trillion in spending cuts and $1 trillion in repealed tax subsidies on such things as mortgage interest and tax credits for families with children. Shared sacrifice may secure enough Republicans and Democrats to pass something, but it buys the enmity of anti-tax extremists. Expect the rigid right to inflict some pain on Crapo before it's over/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

• Senate rejects House plan, Obama calls for deal/Carl Hulse, New York Times

Question: With the rejection of House Republicans' "cut, cap, & balance' legislation by the U.S. Senate this morning, is it time for warring parties to get behind the Gang of Six proposal?