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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
'West Wing' Explanation Of Debt-Ceiling Politics Hard To Beat
July 21, 2011 In what may be the pithiest explanation of debt-ceiling politics ever rendered in a popular TV series (and I'm guessing probably the only one) The West Wing really nailed it.
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.
It's All Politics
House GOP Walks Uncertain Debt-Ceiling Path
July 19, 2011 The Founders knew the U.S. House would sometimes be unruly, confused and contradictory, like the very citizens the lawmakers represented. So, one way to look at what's going on with House Republicans right now in the debt-ceiling crisis is that they're living up to the expectations the revolutionary generation had for Congress, at least the People's House.
It's All Politics
CBS News Poll: GOP Fares Worst In Debt-Ceiling Fight
July 18, 2011 A new CBS News poll suggests that while none of the Washington political players gets the approval of a majority of voters for how policymakers are handling the debt-ceiling debate, congressional Republicans fare the worst.The survey found only 21 percent of respondents approved of the actions of congressional Republicans while 71 percent disapproved.
It's All Politics
Debt-Limit Tools Prove Challenge To US Paying August Bills With Just Cash
July 15, 2011 Based on numbers-crunching by the Bipartisan Policy Center, the interactive tools effectively drive home the sobering point that doing what some conservatives have argued, that is, just paying the interest on the debt and a few chosen programs, would create terrible, if not impossible, dilemmas for policymakers.
It's All Politics
Debt-Ceiling Talks: Slouching Toward Defaultmageddon
July 15, 2011 We're exactly one week away from July 22, the date when President Obama said he wants a debt-ceiling deal in hand so there'll be enough time for legislative language to be drafted and congressional votes taken to raise the limit by the Aug 2 deadline we can call Defaultmageddon.
The Two-Way
Obama: 'Running Out Of Time' For Deficit Deal
July 15, 2011 The president said, "we know how we can create a package that solves the deficits and debt for a significant period of time. But in order to do that we've got to get started now."
The Two-Way
Lawmakers On Call Through Weekend For More Budget Talks
July 15, 2011 With the Aug. 2 deadline approaching, lawmakers are also working on a plan that would give the president authority to raise the federal debt ceiling. The president is due to hold a news conference about the budget discussions later this morning.
