Politico has the article The Democrats play hardball.

Obama told Democratic leaders he would refuse to entertain any talk about separating $550 billion in defense cuts from the overall $1.2 trillion in across-the-board spending reductions set by law to kick in next year — despite repeated demands from GOP leaders and the Pentagon to do so. The president reiterated there will be no compromising on extending Bush-era tax breaks for U.S. families that earn more than $250,000 annually.
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Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley said Democrats should “stick to our guns” and not buckle on the tax issue.

Andrews added: “If [Republicans] want to explain to their base why they permitted a $3 trillion income tax increase and a $500 billion defense cut, let them do it.”

But with so much at stake, some Democrats think their leadership — along with Republicans — will be forced to give in ahead of the year-end fiscal cliff given the risks to the U.S. economy.

“As we get closer,” said Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), “I think pressure is going to build.”

As Democrats across the nation sing out in unison, “it’s about time.”  Almost unison, anyway.  Perhaps Kent Conrad can be taken to the woodshed for a special delivery of the message. Maybe if he knew that the future of the Democratic party and this country rests on his sticking to the plan, he might find the courage to keep his mouth shut when appropriate.  When the Republicans are looking for the crack in the Democratic wall, there is no sense in holding up a red cape, and shouting “Toro, Toro.”  Don’t you just love those mixed metaphors?