Indictments will help Republicans pass their tax cuts.

[Jim Lane]

3. I disagree, because I think the tax fight will last quite a while.

You're right that any indictments will dominate media coverage for at least a week. The reason I'm less pessimistic than you is that I see the tax debate going into December.

The Republicans don't even have a specific plan yet. They've appointed a small group (even smaller than the health care cabal) to craft something. Then it gets worked over in the House, where the competing factions within the GOP will make Ryan's life a nightmare. Whatever emerges from the House has to go to the Senate, where McConnell's margin is even less. There might have to be a conference committee.

BTW, I wouldn't call the Republicans' bill "their tax cuts". It's anticipated that they'll need to make it revenue-neutral, which is what they need to escape a filibuster. They will cut some taxes but be forced to increase others. Hence the rumblings about curbing or eliminating some deductions, such as those for state and local taxes. Depending on exactly what emerges from the sausage-making, it's likely that millions of people will find their taxes increased.