Sen. Murray: Deficit Super Committee 'Can't Take Anything Off The Table'

Sen. Patty Murray said Wednesday that the deficit reduction super committee she's been tapped to co-chair "can't take anything off the table" when it convenes to figure out a long-term deficit reduction plan for the United States.

"I'm hopeful as co-chair I can set the tone of seriousness and bi-partisanship and understanding of a need to reach a strong solution for our country," Murray said.

Voters know Murray (D, Washington) as a strong defender of social security and Medicare, and as co-chair of the super committee, she'll have to balance that reputation against whatever cuts may need to be made to get a long-term deal done.

"I know that we need a balanced approach," she said. "I know that we need to protect the middle class, and seniors and the most vulnerable."

But she wouldn't rule anything out Wednesday.

"We can't take anything off the table to begin with," she said.

Despite repeated questions, Murray refused to draw any lines in the sand on what programs might be considered untouchable.

The committee is expected to issue its plan just before Thanksgiving.

GOP Chair Wants Murray Off Deficit Super Committee

Murray was one of three Democratic senators named to the deficit reduction super committee Tuesday, but she was singled out earlier Wednesday when the chairman of the Republican National Committee called for her removal due to her role as the chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, The New York Times reported.

Murray's role on the campaign committee essentially tasks her with getting Senate Democrats reelected, and as The Times reported, Murray "attacked Republican candidates, saying they wanted to turn Medicare 'into a voucher program run by for-profit insurance companies in order to pay for more giveaways to oil companies and the very rich.'"

"The select committee is no place for someone whose top priority is fund-raising and politics," said Reince Priebus, the RNC chair, according to The Times.

No word yet on whether Priebus' opposition to Murray's new post will result in any action.