President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner are narrowing the divide between their positions while contending with discontent among their respective ranks.

Boehner on Tuesday proposed what recently was the unthinkable for Republicans — letting tax rates go up on income above $1 million as a short-term step to avoid some of the fiscal cliff while continuing to negotiate a broader deal.

The White House and Democratic leaders immediately rejected Boehner’s move, saying the focus should be on a comprehensive deficit-reduction agreement instead of a partial step that no one likes.

Glen Walker has more on the political chess match.