David Koch Goes Centrist

Occupy Something liberals have lately made the Koch brothers into the big baddies of conservatism. But although David and Charles Koch have spent huge sums promoting laxer regulation of drilling and CO2 emissions, and a smaller government generally, they actually have a much more realistic approach to government than most of the Republican Party. Consider these recent remarks from David:

“I think it’s essential to be able to achieve spending reductions and maybe it’s going to require some tax increases,” he said. “We got to come close to balancing the budget; otherwise, we’re in a terrible deep problem.”

As for whether military spending cuts should be on the table, Koch said, “I think to balance the budget, probably every federal department has to take cuts in my opinion. We have to spread it around.”

Now, I ask you, is this not exactly Barack Obama's position? No doubt Obama and Koch disagree about what should be cut and how much, but I bet the President would have had a much easier time negotiating a budget compromise with Koch than he had with Boehner and Ryan. It seems to me that Obama had only two non-negotiable positions in last year's negotiations: rich people must pay higher taxes, and defense spending must be cut. Boehner and Ryan rejected both, but Koch accepts them. Here is the makings of a deal, if anyone in the Republican Party wants to make it.