In light of the very likely failure of the tax extenders bill, Steve Benen speculates:

It's unpleasant to think about, and I really hope it's not true, but it may be time for a discussion about whether GOP lawmakers are trying to deliberately sabotage the economy to help their midterm election strategy. After all, these same Republicans have supported deficit-financed tax-extenders before -- there's no credible reason to change course now. On the contrary, with the economy struggling to break through, the need for this package is more obvious, not less, if your goal is to actually improve economic conditions.

Losing this bill definitely would sabotage the economy. Estimates of additional jobs lost without the key funding in this bill ranger from 200,000 to 900,000. Because of the loss to state budgets, those will be jobs that will be particularly obvious--teacher, police, firefighters. Lost jobs that will infuriate the public and maybe, just maybe, help the Republicans if there's an anti-incumbent wave because of it.

Of course, Republicans can't kill this on their own. Not with 49 41 votes. On the last vote they had both Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman. And if they do kill it with a failed loture vote, it's completely dead. There isn't time in the schedule to bring it back up.

So, if you've got some time today, call Snowe, Collins, Voinovich, Scott Brown, Ben Nelson, and Lieberman. Here's a toll free number: 888-254-5087. Ask them if their seats really are worth further wrecking the entire economy.