For over a year, the White House has been laying a trap, attempting to

force Republicans into embracing entitlement reforms so that President

Obama and Democrats would have a giant target to attack. But with the

release of Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget today, that strategy could

backfire.

The White House strategy dates back to at least January 2010, when

Obama singled out Ryan at a House Republican retreat, referencing his

bold “Roadmap for America’s Future” fiscal reform plan that would

overhaul entitlements. Though the plan was little known outside of

Washington policy circles before then, it soon became a focal point

for Democratic attacks.