Democrats say they will unveil a new payroll tax cutting plan this week, as they try to portray Republicans as being against the idea of extending that tax cut.

While GOP leaders are ready to accept the idea of an extension, there are a number of rank-and-file Republicans who oppose that move, which led in part to the weak showing on a GOP payroll tax cut plan in the Senate, as it received only 20 votes.

So, expect more maneuvering this week, with an extra dose of PR and public pressure from the White House as well.

Meanwhile, Capitol Hill is starting to wonder what the end game is going to be on all that unfinished business listed above.

A temporary budget to keep the government running expires a week from Friday on December 16; Congressional leaders keep talking about finishing by then, but the old cranky reporters like me up in the Press Gallery chuckle at that kind of talk.

Maybe December 22 or 23 is a better choice in the Press Gallery Pool.