It wasn't really a shock when news filtered out on Tuesday that a bipartisan group of six Senators were floundering in their effort to come up with a grand political bargain to cut government spending and lower the deficit in the future.
The talks didn't seem to be going far in recent weeks, and that was confirmed when Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) said he would not participate in the negotiations for the near term.
"He is disappointed the group has not been able to bridge the gap between what needs to happen and what senators will support," said Coburn's spokesman.
"He has decided to take a break from the talks."
The problem wasn't a desire to cut a deal - the three Senators on both sides certainly indicated that over the last few months.
The real trouble is what exists on the political playing field right now - there is little common ground when it comes to budget issues.
Republicans don't want tax increases.
Democrats don't want cuts in Medicare or Social Security.
Republicans don't want cuts in defense spending.
After you get through that, there isn't much to negotiate on.
But these Senators had stuck their necks out behind closed doors, trying to find agreement on a revamped tax system, one which cut out loopholes but lowered the overall tax rates.
Realistically, if there is going to be a "grand bargain" on this, where both sides jump off the cliff together, it has to be led by the President and the Speaker of the House.
Nothing against these Senators, three from each party, but they were alternately ignored and embraced by their own party in recent months mainly when it was convenient to do so.
