NY Daily News

BY Richard Sisk
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON - Sen. Charles Schumer got caught on an open phone Tuesday tutoring his pals on the daily zinger to use against the Republicans in the battle of the budget.

Just before a conference call with reporters began, Schumer was overheard telling his Senate colleagues that he didn't care much what they said, so long as they used the buzzword "extreme" in saying it.

"I always use the word extreme," Schumer said. "That is what the caucus instructed me to use this week."

Then the Dems did as they were told in trashing House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).

"We are urging Mr. Boehner to abandon the extreme right wing" to compromise with the Dems on a budget deal to avoid a government shutdown on April 8, said Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).

A Schumer spokesman pooh-poohed the gaffe by his boss, saying it was no secret that the Dems and Repubs hash out their talking points before going public.

"There's nothing wrong with reporters overhearing him calling the House Republicans' budget extreme because that's what it is," said spokesman Brian Fallon. "He had just given a speech on the Senate floor saying the same thing.

Earlier, Schumer said that fear of a Tea Party backlash was blocking GOP leaders from reaching a compromise to avoid the shutdown.

"The Republican party, with the Tea Party breathing down their necks, won't take 'Yes' for an answer," Schumer said.