Most Congressional maneuvering for the right to control political messaging is pretty tedious stuff. But tonight’s example’s at least somewhat significant.

Harry Reid signaled that his caucus is lined up to support President Obama’s plan to extend the Bush tax cuts for everyone’s first $250,000 in income.

So what was once “Even Senate Democrats don’t support Obama’s plan!” is now “Senate Republicans are blocking middle income tax cuts unless top earners get theirs too.”

Brian Beutler

Brian Beutler is TPM's senior congressional reporter. Since 2009, he's led coverage of health care reform, Wall Street reform, taxes, the GOP budget, the government shutdown fight, and the debt limit fight. He can be reached at brian@talkingpointsmemo.com.