archive
It's All Politics
Boehner Debt Plan Besieged By Fellow Republicans, Democrats
July 26, 2011 The threats to Boehner's legislation, which would raise the debt ceiling in two steps (the Boehner Two-Step, anyone) are coming from within his GOP conference as well as Democrats on the outside.
It's All Politics
Vox Populi Strains Congress' Phone Lines, Websites
July 26, 2011 Americans are evidently responding to President Obama's request Monday evening that they contact their lawmakers. Congress' phone lines and web sites were jammed Tuesday, becoming unavailable for many who tried to communicate with Capitol Hill.
It's All Politics
When Washington Causes Headaches, How Do You Spell Relief?
July 26, 2011 For those watching the ping-pong match between Washington Republicans and Democrats, seven more days of this back-and-forth feels like six days longer than anyone should be forced to endure. So what's the best way to escape mentally from this?
It's All Politics
Report: U.S. Could Have Few Days Past Aug. 2 Deadline On Debt Ceiling
July 26, 2011 For months, the world has been focused on the Aug. 2 deadline for the U.S. to have a new and higher debt ceiling in place to stave off Defaultmageddon.The U.S. Treasury, however, could actually have a few more days before hitting the wall, thanks to higher-than-forecast tax revenues.
It's All Politics
Obama, Boehner Try Two-Prong Strategy In Deficit Debate
July 25, 2011 As political rhetoric, the speeches likely connected with the audiences they were intended for. But they likely did very little to change matters at the negotiating table for the better.
Shots - Health News
History Shows Medicare Cuts Can Spare Beneficiaries
July 25, 2011 Most trims to Medicare's budget have not directly affected care for beneficiaries. Instead cuts in Medicare spending have been directed at hospitals, doctors and nursing homes.
It's All Politics
Debt-Ceiling Fight Comes Down Whether Or Not To Have Election Year Redo
July 25, 2011 Setting aside all the details, important as they are, about raising revenues and cutting spending, the crux of the fight is now clearly more about when to have the next debt-ceiling battle after the one now playing out before our eyes than anything else.
It's All Politics
Democrats Quoting Grover Norquist (For Now)
July 21, 2011 Democrats don't usually go around citing Grover Norquist but these aren't normal times.It's all because Norquist, the conservative activist who has essentially maintained anti-tax discipline among elected Republicans by having them sign a pledge, told Washington Post journalists that allowing the Bush-era tax cuts to lapse wouldn't be viewed by him as breaking their vow.
It's All Politics
Partisan Debt-Ceiling Fight Makes Even Expediency Less So
July 21, 2011 Here's where we seem to be. There's apparently not enough time to do a long-term deal that raises the debt-ceiling beyond Election Day 2012 and achieves significant deficit reduction and not enough agreement on how to kick the proverbial can down the road.If all of this makes you want to throw up your hands and ask to be awakened from this nightmare, you're not alone.
The Two-Way
Progress Still 'Elusive' On Deficit-Reduction Deal
July 21, 2011 With the clock ticking, negotiations continue. But reviews are mixed on the "Gang of Six" plan that many have been hoping would break the deadlock.
It's All Politics
George Washington's Namesake Could Use Some Of His Wisdom
July 20, 2011 A listener who called in to the NPR's Diane Rehm Show recommended that all politicians in the nation's capital read George Washington's Farewell Address. It turns out there's a paragraph that seems particularly apt to during the current debt-ceiling crisis.
It's All Politics
Obama Could Agree To Brief Debt-Ceiling Extension
July 20, 2011 If White House and congressional negotiators were to reach a deal to extend the debt limit past the 2012 elections and to significantly reduce deficits, the president would be willing to budge, White House press secretary Jay Carney said.
It's All Politics
Poll: Rising Percentage Say Default Would Harm Economy
July 20, 2011 The tide of voter sentiment continues to shift toward Washington policymakers seeking a debt-ceiling compromise and away from the so far seemingly inflexible position of House Republicans. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll adds to the sense that voters, who once seemed to not want the U.S. debt ceiling raised, have changed their minds in recent days
It's All Politics
Poll: More Americans Than Not Now Back Debt Ceiling Boost
July 19, 2011 After weeks of more poll respondents saying they opposed increasing the federal debt limit compared with those who favored the action, a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll found more people now supporting the fiscal move than opposing it.
It's All Politics
Second Senate Debt-Ceiling Effort Raises Pressure On House GOP
July 19, 2011 House Republicans arguably found themselves under even more pressure Tuesday as a new bipartisan effort emerged in the Senate to reach a debt-ceiling agreement to avoid a U.S. government default on its obligations.
