The NYT had an article on budget negotiations in which it implied a false symmetry on key issues in the debate:

“On Thursday, the leaders grappled with the most difficult issues politically for each party: cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, entitlement programs long defended by Democrats; and new revenues from the tax code, anathema to Republicans, who say they will not vote for anything resembling a tax increase.”

This symmetry is misplaced because the Democrats’ base actually wants to see the rich pay more in taxes. By contrast, the Republicans’ base actually strongly supports Medicare and to a lesser extent Medicaid. The Democrats need the Republicans to get a tax increase passed through Congress. The Republicans need the Democrats to give them cover for cuts that are unpopular across the board.