The Hill News

The House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's (R-Va.) decision to withdraw from the negotiations over the debt ceiling for the time being, as well as press reports that Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (Ariz.) is doing the same, underscores the inherent problem with secret meetings instead of a public, open process. It also underscores that the president cannot ‘lead from behind’ in dealing with the most pressing crisis our nation facesâ€"our exploding debt and the increasing damage it is doing to our economy.

It’s taking too long for a proposal to be presented, and it is clear now that optimistic statements about existing progress have been too generous. It will be unacceptable for the White House talks, or any talks, to produce a controversial decision at the 11th hour and for its passage to then be demanded in panic. Such an approach heightens the risk of failure. 

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