Getting whiplash

Strange deals happening all over the place: Reid gets out ahead of the next GOP gambit by asking Bush to pledge not to pardon Libby. (The prospect of a pardon is considered to be a disincentive for Libby's taking any sort of plea bargain, and thus for his turning in any of his higher-ups.) Meantime, Republicans, unable to get their draconian budget cuts through on a party-line vote, may be asking Democrats to give them cover, presumably in exchange for tasty political snacks (commenters say that Katarina funds may be part of the arm-twisting, eesh). Things are getting wild up on the Hill!