Both sides argue over fiscal cliff

>> in the tense dpoesh ynegotiations between the president and republicans both sides appear to be moving to a compromise that could stop taxes from rising on everyone january 1st . there's no hard deal on the table yet. joining me now, kristin hawn and david winston , a veteran republican pollster. the thing i'm struck by in the context here, every poll i've seen suggests that you have republicans likely to get more blame. should we put any stock in that kind of polling about the fiscal cliff or do people not know b. enough about it and that's not influencing what's go on between john boehner , president obama , mitch mcconnell and the other folk on the hill?

>> they probably have more awareness than some can imagine. but having said that, it not where it is now, it's when you get to the end when people saw what the options were and the choices were, and then they decide who they think either helped or didn't help. that's sort of the critical moment. at this point, i -- the public wanted to see this resolved is where they're at the this point.

>> right. and i always say, polling at this point given how little people know about the specifics of what could go into any deal, we don't have a deal, but if we did, may not be worth all that much. go ahead.

>> again, one last thing. that's what's being negotiated at this point what are the specifics that go into it so people can pass judgment on it.

>> i want to go to you, we've all been through this before, i feel like this is here we go again.

>> here we go again. oh yes.

>> all over.

>> all over again.

>> it feels, to me, the optics -- i hate to use that word -- but looks like we will probably get a deal, boehner come back with a proposal. democrats criticize but they came back with --

>> in a timely fashion.

>> -- a proposal in a somewhat timely fashion. you see coburn saying i'd rather have tax rates going poup tom cole saying pass the tax cuts on -- the tax cut extension on the 98%. is there enough there that you think, before december 31st we get there? i know with the caveat we're all trying to read the tea leaves , from your experience what does it tell us.

>> i think the political will is there. you see somebody like coburn, who has been working for over a year with people like heath shuler , democrat from north carolina and mike simpson , you know, put together a letter --

>> of idaho.

>> right. not a moderate. we sat in meetings and there was acknowledgement by both sides and that's why you had a letter of 40 republicans ands that had revenue an d entitlement reform in the letter six months ago. i think it's there.

>> dave, let me ask you, quickly, let's say there's a deal. is it possible for a political win to come out of a deal for republicans?

>> listen if we get to the successful conclusion that's moving things forward the country wants this resolved, right? being able to get to that resolution as a reflection then that you successfully governed. yeah, but i suggest that's a win for everybody, not just simply republicans. everybody across the board, we managed to avoid the situation, got to a reasonable conclusion and that's what the country's looking for.

>> thank you both fortime.