'Nobodys Going To Be Taking a Long, Hard Look At It'

In many ways, Bush's budget is merely a political document setting forth his final wish list, even though no one expects Congress to endorse it. In fact, all sides are using it to frame the campaign debate for their own purposes. Democrats immediately urged more spending for Medicare, Medicaid, and education. And GOP members weren't in lock step with the White House. Judd Gregg, ranking Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, said, "They've obviously played an inordinate number of games to try to make it look better. Let's face it. This budget is done with the understanding that nobody's going to be taking a long, hard look at it." All this will probably add to voters' justifiable belief that the Washington establishment can't get its act together.