laperriere says it may not happen this year, but it's coming. >> i still think we need an intervening election before we make the hard decisions about how we are going to balance the budget, and so i'd bet against big changes in entitlements programs over the next year and a half, but i think they're possible. >> reporter: but others read the government shutdown cliffhanger as a warning sign. changing washington's political and fiscal habits is never easy. budget watcher stan collender says not only is the economy not ready for deep cuts, the political climate is not right for a grand bargain. >> i just find it hard to believe that the big issue the republicans have now staked their hats on-- that is the deficit and being the one to cut spending-- they want to cut the president in on. i just don't think they are likely to negotiate with him on his terms. >> reporter: house republicans have laid down their plans to bring the budget closer to balance by reshaping and downsizing government. on wednesday, the president is expected to lay out a much different path. a grand bargain, if ther