Politics As Usual — 12.3.12

Last week the White House rolled out its budget proposals to address the looming deadline. GOP lawmakers largely dismissed them but negotiations are underway. The two sides have until the end of December to resolve the impasse.

Senator-elect Elizabeth Warren watches from the sidelines for now, ahead of her swearing-in. The speculation now is that Warren may be tapped for a seat on the Senate's high-profile Banking Committee. Mere rumor is enough to make financial service types nervous.

Sen. John Kerry's fate could be decided as early as this week, whether he becomes the nominee for Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense — or remains senior senator from the Bay State.

GUESTS:

• Trey Grayson, Director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.
• Scot Lehigh, Boston Globe columnist.