[Hoot Gibson]

When the going got tough, Democrats got...out of town. No budget and no vote on whether to extend the Bush tax cuts beyond the end of the year. 39 Democrats in the House voted against adjourning the session early to give their endangered colleagues more time to campaign.

Nancy Pelosi was afraid to let members vote on extending the tax cuts because she did not have the Democrat votes to defeat the measure. Now, they will have to defend not acting to prevent taxes from skyrocketing in 2011 and not even voting on a budget for 2010.

Do these cowards deserve to be reelected?

[INDENT]

Congress punts tough choice until after election

WASHINGTON (AP) - A deeply unpopular Congress is bolting for the campaign trail without finishing its most basic job - approving a budget for the government year that begins on Friday. Lawmakers also are postponing a major fight over taxes, two embarrassing ethics cases and other political hot potatoes until angry and frustrated voters render their verdict in the Nov. 2 elections.

As a last necessary task before leaving, both the Senate and House passed a temporary spending measure needed to keep federal agencies operating when the new budget year starts.

As Congress moved toward a messy end to a session fraught with partisan fire, President Barack Obama campaigned for Democrats in Iowa and Virginia, accusing Republicans of being dishonest about what needs to be done to revive the economy and restore middle-class dreams.

With their House and Senate majorities on the line, Democratic leaders called off votes and even debates on all controversial matters.

[/INDENT]