But the decline of leaders' meetings goes beyond budget talks.

In the budget talks, games could be played to make that cut less generous.

But in the long budget talks, many laws were overlooked.

Publicly, administration officials say they have no problem with the budget talks.

Today's meeting was attended by almost all the major figures in the budget talks.

Later the dollar fell back in a move related to the budget talks.

The budget talks are, of course, the other big problem.

"But the market is waiting for an outcome to the budget talks."

In January 1996, they walked out of the budget talks.

After all, the budget talks are supposed to be about money.