The Budget Battle. Head up on this one guys...

Consider this a heads up for what to watch next week.  Check this out from UPI.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid announced that he, Obama and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi agreed on a stopgap measure Thursday to keep the government running to allow for negotiations on a "meaningful" budget. Their meeting was a clear signal they were taking the possibility of a shutdown seriously.
Congress faces a Sept. 30 deadline to pass a spending bill before government funding runs out at the end of the fiscal year. Reid said the measure would be a short-term one that includes the same size increase for military and non-military spending.

We've seen this playbook before.

The Democrats are about to use the defense budget as a foil to get increased domestic spending.  Expect Graham and McCain to lead the charge for the Pentagon...and expect every General available to appear on news shows talking about how the services need more money to accomplish their missions.

It semi-worked last year and we saw an increase in the budget.

I don't think it will work now though.  Relations between Congress and the White House are strained.  The Presidential election season is in full swing.  No one wants to be seen "wasting" money.  And this is before the Planned Parenthood controversy is added to the mix.

Additionally the public is in a foul mood and the idea that all is not well with the economy especially with the action by the Fed.

My prediction?  A continuing resolution at or just a little above current levels.