[Non-Sequitur]

By announcing it on Monday, the president effectively will preempt Republicans who have been talking about making such a move once they take over the House and assume more seats in the Senate in January.

The Republican Congress can always extend the pay freeze to themselves and their staffs. What are the chances of that happening?

[kabar]

They can set their staff salaries and give part of their own salaries to charity. In this particular instance, Obama is just getting out in front of the parade. The Reps were going to do this anyway. And no doubt, Obama can tie this to the Deficit Commission report, which is probably recommending the same thing. It will come out shortly.