When Wonks Swear, Or: "You Watch Your Phraseology."

Ezra Klein catches CBO Director Doug Elmendorf pointing out some things that are technically beyond his brief, in Ezra's words, "in stronger language than is customary."

What did Elmendorf say?

current policy as perceived by many people would generate much larger deficits than current law as captured in CBO’s baseline

Doug Elmendorf: wash your mouth out with soap this instant!

(Actually, what I want to know is why Elmendorf is going round making presentations about future deficits when we're still waiting for the score on Harry Reid's bill...I suppose everyone is doing what they're supposed to be doing, but it appears to be a little unseemly to me).