Already, the promises break down

On their first day in control of the House, the Republican leadership is already backtracking on that much-hyped promise to cut $100 billion in government spending.

Did we say $100B? Well, er . . . not exactly. That was a "hypothetical," aides now explain. Simply can't be done, others say.

Hypothetical?

"A Pledge to America," their manifesto of promises to the American people in the campaign, says this:

“We will roll back government spending to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels, saving us at least $100 billion in the first year alone.”

And as of yesterday, Speaker Boehner's web site still contained the link to his pre-election radio address in which he said:

"We're ready to cut spending to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels, saving roughly $100 billion almost immediately."

Doesn't sound hypothetical at all, does it? But so what? Politicians make promises all the time that they can't keep. Obama did it too. But this seems a little cynical to cite a specific figure, build your campaign around shrinking government, and then on the first day in power to say they didn't really mean it.

More fuel for the fire between the Tea Party freshmen and Boehner and between the Tea Party enthusiasts and the GOP.

And more reason to think that having lost control of the House may not be the worst thing that could happen to the Democrats.

Ralph