If Democrats sound somewhat alike in their criticism of Republican budget cuts, you're not imagining it. Just before a conference call with reporters recently, top Senate Democrats mistakenly thought the reporters couldn't hear them. So the Democrats discussed how they could all use the same language to attack Republicans.
Sen. Charles Schumer of New York "told them to portray John A. Boehner of Ohio, the speaker of the House, as painted into a box by the Tea Party," The New York Times reported, "and to decry the spending cuts that he wants as extreme." Said Schumer: "I always use the word 'extreme.' That is what the caucus instructed me to use this week."
Moments later, the senators realized the reporters could hear them, "and silence fell." But as soon as the conference call "officially" began, the Democrats did exactly as instructed.
"We are urging Mr. Boehner to abandon the extreme right wing," said Sen. Barbara Boxer of California.
Sen. Thomas Carper of Delaware chimed in, referring to the "right-wing extremist friends" of House Republicans.
Sen. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland said Boehner was beholden to the "extremes of his party."
And Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut mentioned a "small, extreme group of ideologues."
Knowing that Democrats coordinated their rhetoric in advance, don't you find it "extremely" insincere?