Fiscal Cliff Talks Resume

It might be too much to hope for, but it's at least possible that the public harumphing over the fiscal cliff might be nearing an end: With 25 days to go, the Wall Street Journal reports that private talks between staffers of John Boehner and the White House have resumed. One possible route to a compromise getting some traction: Republicans would agree to President Obama's demand to increase the top tax rate—it now stands at 35%—but the rate would not go all the way back up to the 39.6% of the Bill Clinton presidency. (More fiscal cliff stories.)