DANGER: POISON

I think this tells you how toxic things have gotten. The House rushes to vote down the “Reid Proposal” before the Senate even votes on it, and while its content is STILL being negotiated with the Senate Repubs. Anything CALLED the “Reid Proposal” must be bad, right?

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/30/house-rejects-reid-debt-ceiling-proposal/
In an effort to send a message to Senate leaders of both parties, the House voted 173 to 246 against the proposal by Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, to show it had no future in the House. . . .

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/one_house_tantrum_followed_by031200.php

Toxic!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/a-debt-mess-created-by-republicans-who-should-know-better/2011/07/30/gIQAqrvYjI_blog.html
[Jonathan Bernstein] John Boehner and Harry Reid started the week with plans that were within shouting distance of each other. It was easy to envision a compromise between them. . . . [read on]

Now it’s the Senate Dems who keep pushing back a vote they are afraid they will lose – while the Senate GOP keeps threatening to filibuster it

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/dems-prep-for-key-debt-limit-test-vote-to-fail.php

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/07/30/republicans-vow-filibuster-of-reid-debt-limit-plan/

Meanwhile, the key negotiation seems to be between Obama and the Repubs, with the Dems forced to swallow whatever he comes up with

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/31/us/politics/31dems.html
Rightward Tilt Leaves Obama With Party Rift

The deal? http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/07/30/is_this_the_deal.html
ABC News reports that Republicans and the White House have struck a tentative deal to raise the debt ceiling.

Key features of the agreement:
• Debt ceiling increase of up to $2.8 trillion
• Spending cuts of roughly $1 trillion
• Vote on the Balanced Budget Amendment
• Special committee to recommend cuts of $1.8 trillion before Thanksgiving
• Automatic across-the-board cuts go into effect, including cuts to Defense and Medicare, if not approved by December
• No new tax revenue

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/do-not-go-gently-into-that-goodnight-by.html
[David Atkins] Needless to say, this is a truly horrible deal. . . . [read on]

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: A slightly revised proposal, though still pretty bad

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2011/07/white-house-republicans-strike-tenative-deal-to-raise-debt-ceiling-.html

Triggers

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/30/1000635/-Report:-White-House-privately-open-to-spending-only-trigger-to-get-debt-deal

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/where_things_stand_4031205.php

Obama’s failure. It is pathetic to think about how we got here. A few weeks ago, the Repubs were reeling. The very unpopular Ryan plan had them on the defensive. They were (and remain) deeply divided internally. Their leadership was weak. Obama’s approval was on the rise. Now, after wasting time (once again) in seeking a “grand compromise” with GOP leaders who wouldn’t or couldn’t deliver, Obama is being forced to accept a bill that has everything the GOPers wanted – more than they could have hoped for even a few days ago – and NOTHING that serves his own side. It’s the Dems who are frustrated and demoralized, and his approval is at an all-time low

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/very-serious-complicity.html
[Digby] Perhaps he didn't originally conceive of the debt ceiling as a good way to force spending cuts, but he sure jumped on the bandwagon with gusto when the other side proposed it. And frankly, considering his early telegraphing of the Grand Bargain as a legacy item and his fetish for big bipartisan compromise, I think it's fair to speculate that he saw this as the only way to get it done early on. . . . [read on]

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/aug/18/what-were-they-thinking/
[Elizabeth Drew] The President argued that it’s critical to make cuts that will “get our fiscal house in order,” so that the American people and the politicians would accept the idea of new programs leading to growth and more jobs. But there are numerous indications that the public is ready for such programs now, and serious analysts see no reason why he should not also be taking such steps now, even if this increases the deficit in the short run. But that would be at odds with Obama’s current self-portrayal. People who are looking for work, or worried about their unemployment insurance, or getting their kids to college, may not be impressed with the argument that they must be patient while the President adjusts his fiscal image in time for the 2012 election. . . . [read on]

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/and-how-did-you-like-kabuki-dance-mr.html

Tighten those belts some more!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/why-any-debt-ceiling-deal-will-squeeze-the-states/2011/07/30/gIQArZYjjI_blog.html
[Suzy Khimm] No matter how the debt-ceiling fight is resolved in Congress, it’s going to end poorly for the states. . . . [read on]

Sorry

http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/07/30/283759/there-will-be-no-recovery/
There Will Be No Recovery

More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/07/29/austerity-goolsbee-ignores-own-statistics-to-make-case-for-deficit-reduction/

The kind of people they are

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/wisconsin-goper-admits-she-compared-public-schools-to-nazi-germany.php
So now we know: the 2010 blog post deleted from a tea party social network recently comparing America's public schools to Nazi Germany was in fact written by Kim Simac, a tea party organizer and the state Republicans' choice to recall a Democratic state Senator in Wisconsin on August 9. But we still don't know why the post mysteriously disappeared just as the election is entering the homestretch. . . .

Just don’t call it “terrorism”

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/07/30/planned_parenthood_terrorism
Someone firebombed a Planned Parenthood clinic in McKinney, Texas, late Tuesday night. Because it was so late, no one was hurt. The clinic doesn't provide abortions, but there had been protesters there earlier that day anyway. . . .

Sunday talk show line-ups

http://firedoglake.com/2011/07/31/sunday-talking-heads-july-31-2011/
ABC’s This Week: Debt ceiling – David Plouffe. Then, Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R-SC). Followed by Dr. Mohamed El-Erian, CEO of investment management firm PIMCO on the consequences of a possible default. Roundtable: George Stephanopoulos, George Will, Paul Krugman, Grover Norquist. Also, Ameriterror – Ft. Hood arrest with NYC Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. Ending with the famine in the Horn of Africa, reporting by David Muir.

CBS’ Face the Nation: Debt ceiling – Republican Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

CNN’s State of the Union: Guest host Gloria Borger. Debt ceiling – Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Then, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Also, Director of the National Economic Council, Gene Sperling. And Moody’s chief economist Mark Zandi. Ending with the horserace and Tim Pawlenty.

NBC’s Meet the Press: Debt ceiling – David Plouffe. Roundtable: Jennifer Granholm, Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID), Jim Cramer, Tom Brokaw.

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

DESPERATE MEASURES

Boehner’s last gasp: a ridiculous, desperate bill, the third version, designed only for the purpose of getting the teabaggers to vote with him. To get those votes, he had to add a requirement that both houses of Congress would pass a balanced budget amendment and send it to the states – something absolutely no one expects to happen. The Senate wastes no time in killing that monstrosity. Boehner lives to fight another day. But here’s his problem: having encouraged and invigorated his worst elements, how is he going to bring a new bill, a bipartisan bill, back to the House from the Senate, and get any of his conference to vote for it?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/now-what-house-gop-passes-unviable-debt-limit-bill.php

[NB: Watch the video of Boehner’s ultra-angry floor speech. Incredible.]

The Tea Party is still out to get him

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/heres-what-tea-party-wants-chaos

http://www.americablog.com/2011/07/time-magazine-speaker-has-gone-lame.html

Due process

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/07/29/boehner-bill-will-get-one-minute-of-debate-before-passage/
Boehner Bill Will Get One Minute of Debate Before Passage

Oh, good

http://firedoglake.com/2011/07/29/tea-party-republican-says-god-told-him-to-oppose-boehner-bill/
Tea Party Republican Says God Told Him to Oppose Boehner Bill

[NB: Well, God and Jim DeMint:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hS9YkBx55QmlNK_aan8oOebPuiUw?docId=28b4fdeab68946e7997b9c4aa39d4b1d

http://www.nationaljournal.com/south-carolina-gop-delegation-sticks-together-against-boehner-bill-20110729]

The Boss

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/28/999940/-Limbaugh-blasts-Boehner-bill,-Reid-says-Senate-will-defeat-it-tonight
Limbaugh blasts Boehner bill

Thanks to David N: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/im-gonna-ask-you-simple-question-and-i.html

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_072511/content/01125114.guest.html

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_072811/content/01125106.guest.html

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/content/home/daily/site_072711/content/01125108.guest.html
RUSH: "Tea Party Members Are Suggesting Speaker Boehner Be Replaced." I can't tell you how I knew this was coming, but I knew it was. I knew it was coming. The Tea Party people are serious. There's about a hundred of them in the House. Well, close to a hundred of them, 57, somewhere in there. . . .

All eyes on the Senate

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/07/29/senate-hunting-for-republican-votes-on-reid-debt-limit-bill/
Senate Hunting for Republican Votes on Reid Debt Limit Bill

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/reid-aims-for-gop-support-by-adopting-mcconnell-debt-limit-plan-fallback-plan.php
Reid Aims For GOP Support By Adopting McConnell Debt Limit Plan Fallback Plan

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/forget-the-house-keep-an-eye-on-the-senate/2011/03/28/gIQAGHLshI_blog.html

Trouble ahead?

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/mcconnell-tells-reid-he-will-not-negotiate
McConnell Tells Reid He Will Not Negotiate With Him and Will Allow Filibuster on Reid Bill

Can ANYTHING the Senate comes up with pass the House?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/getting-to-yes-after-24-hrs-of-theatrics-let-the-real-negotiating-begin.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/how_big_is_the_house_gops_sane031191.php

Of course, the Reid bill is awful too: full of things the Dems had said they would never accept – and now have to

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2011/07/29/at-this-point-a-victory-for-democrats-would-still-be-devastating/

More: http://www.americablog.com/2011/07/krugman-obamas-continuing-insistence-on.html

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/07/why-obama-such-wimp

This is what you get

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2011/07/29/obamas-job-approval-hits-new-low/
Obama’s Job Approval Hits New Low

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/obama-hits-lowest-approval-ever-in-gallup-poll.php

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/hows-that-working-out-for-you.html

Can Obama invoke the 14th Amendment and raise the debt ceiling himself? He might have to

http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2011/jul/29/can-obama-extend-debt-ceiling-his-own/

http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/92884/supreme-court-obama-debt-ceiling

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/07/29/obama_14th_amendment

Good news on another front: the administration finally settles fuel efficiency standards

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/29/740479/-Open-thread-for-night-owls:-Obama-administration-takes-major-leap-on-CAFE-standards

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/why_the_fuelefficiency_breakth031194.php
[Steve Benen] On a normal day, when congressional Republicans aren’t pushing the economy towards a catastrophe, the deal the White House struck on fuel-efficiency standards would be a pretty major story. . . .

Bonus item: Guess which party creates the biggest increases to the debt?

http://www.americablog.com/2011/07/all-way-back-to-truman-its-r-presidents.html

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

SCHADENFREUDE

Ha ha ha – same link, two different versions of the same story

Before: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/boehner-other-gop-leaders-ramp-up-pressure-on-republicans-to-pass-debt-plan/2011/07/28/gIQARD5veI_story.html
House Republican leaders predicted victory in a white-knuckle vote Thursday evening on legislation designed to ease the nation’s debt crisis . . .

Later: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/boehner-other-gop-leaders-ramp-up-pressure-on-republicans-to-pass-debt-plan/2011/07/28/gIQARD5veI_story.html
House GOP leaders put off vote on debt plan until Friday . . .

I expect that Boehner will probably get this passed, eventually (after which it will be immediately rejected by the Senate). But it is gratifying to see the Repubs squabbling amongst themselves, and unable to pass THEIR OWN bill despite a majority in the House

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/collapse-boehner-pulls-debt-limit-bill-again-with-days-left-before-default.php
What was originally described as a brief snafu has turned into a stunning rebuke of House Republican leaders . . . [read on]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Debtceiling-outcome-as-apf-275954384.html
[AP] Demoralized House Republicans are trying for a third straight day to pass a debt-ceiling bill that has almost no chance of surviving the Senate, even as the clock ticks closer to next week's deadline for avoiding a potentially calamitous government default. . . .

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/07/28/boehner-has-a-sad/

More: http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/house-republicans-are-not-just-do-no
Tina Dupuy has an excellent piece in The Atlantic examining how this Republican Congress is on pace to set a modern record for non-accomplishment . . .[read on]

This is an astounding statement

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/boehner-beyond-my-control-how-ratings-agencies-treat-my-debt-limit-plan.php
Boehner: ‘Beyond My Control’ How Ratings Agencies Treat My Debt Limit Plan

Sheesh: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/boehner_still_scrambling031168.php
[T]he latest rumor is that Boehner is prepared to send his bill back to committee to make it more right-wing. . . . [read on]

This is how we debate the future financial viability of our nation

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/nerd-alert-gop-drops-star-wars-tolkien-references-in-debt-fight.php
GOP Drops Star Wars, Tolkien References In Debt Fight

More: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/07/what-do-republicans-want
[Kevin Drum] It's no surprise that political partisans tend not to like each other. Generally, though—with obvious and famous exceptions aside—the level of personal hostility on Capitol Hill has usually been kept down to manageable levels.

Until now. To a degree rarely seen in the past, Republican policymaking lately seems to have been driven at least as much by pure political venom as it has by ideology or interest-group pressure. . .

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/quote_of_the_day_8031157.php
[Kate Conway] “In the perverse world of the GOP’s logic, a good proposal is one that your opponents are loathe to accept — not one that arranges for circumstances both parties can live with.”

HIM again?!? Guess who is working behind the scenes to ruin the debt debate?

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/torture-zombie-guess-whos-destroying.html

Whatever happens to Boehner’s bill in the House, it can’t pass the Senate. So, what comes next?

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/07/gut-check-time-john-boehner
[Kevin Drum] If Boehner can't get the tea partiers in the House to support his proposal, and if Harry Reid can't find 60 votes in the Senate for his, then pretty shortly they'll figure out that there's only one way to pass something: forge a compromise that can get substantial support from both Democrats and non-tea-party Republicans. Such a compromise is almost certainly available, and all it takes to get there is for Boehner to be willing to admit the obvious: the tea partiers just aren't willing to deal, period. They want to burn the house down so they can build something better from the ashes. They're insane. . . .

Yes, insane: http://www.slate.com/id/2300298/
Rep. Mike Pence emerged Thursday from the GOP's morning conference a changed man. . . . He would support, maybe, the Boehner plan, because Boehner was going to give him something in return. And what was that something, exactly?

"Since the 'clean' balanced budget amendment was added to the schedule tomorrow, I announced my support of the Boehner plan," said Pence, his jacket slung over his shoulder. . . .

Meanwhile, in the Senate

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/28/debt-ceiling-senate-democrats_n_912478.html
Senate Democrats Look To Negotiate With McConnell If Boehner Bill Fails

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/white-house-quietly-searching-for-new-ways-of-out-the-impasse/2011/03/03/gIQAyCmXfI_blog.html
White House quietly searching for new ways out of impasse

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/28/999895/-ABC:-Biden-and-McConnell-brokering-Boehner-Reid-compromise

More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/07/28/gang-of-six-poised-to-screw-up-negotiations-again/

I like seeing this guy get as much public air time as possible

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/the_pressure_is_starting_to_ge031159.php
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) declared Thursday that Senate Democrats would be responsible for a national default if they defeat a House plan to raise the debt limit.

Cantor starkly laid out the options: Either the Senate passes the House debt-limit legislation or the nation will likely default.

“There are two choices left,” Cantor said. “When we send this bill over, this compromise piece of legislation, [Senate Majority Leader] Harry Reid [D-Nev.] can take that up, pass it, send it to the White House. . . .

[NB: I like that. This “compromise piece of legislation” is a compromise between the Republican right wing and its far right wing. EVERYONE sees that. Having rejected everything else, they have no ground to stand on in insisting that passing their version of the bill is the only possible basis for moving forward.]

Someone in the mainstream press manages to blurt out the ugly truth

http://swampland.time.com/2011/07/28/republicans-dangerous-debt-ceiling-charade/
[Joe Klein] And so, here we are. Our nation’s economy and international reputation as the world’s presiding grownup has already been badly damaged. It is a self-inflicted wound of monumental stupidity. I am usually willing to acknowledge that Democrats can be as silly, and hidebound, as Republicans–but not this time. There is zero equivalence here. The vast majority of Democrats have been more than reasonable, more than willing to accept cuts in some of their most valued programs. Given the chance, there was the likelihood that they would have surrendered their most powerful weapon in next year’s election–a Mediscare campaign–by agreeing to some necessary long-term reforms in that program. The President, remarkably, proposed raising the age of eligibility for Medicare to 67.

The Republicans have been willing to concede nothing. . . . [read on]

Can Boehner survive this fiasco?

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/07/28/boehner_debt_ceiling
The end of John Boehner?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/60125.html
[F]or John Boehner, 'it's all on the line'

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/should-he-stay-or-should-he-go-bachmann-silent-on-boehners-future.php
Should He Stay Or Should He Go? Bachmann Silent On Boehner’s Future

Mitt Romney, busy picking out his Vice President, is NOWHERE to be seen on this crucial debate. That’s what I call leadership

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/when_the_pressures_on_romney_s031154.php

The word of the day: “austerity”

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/07/whatever_the_outcome_of_the_debt_vote_the_age_of_a.php
The Age Of Austerity Is Here

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/could-boehner-and-reid-plans-both-hurt-recovery/2011/03/04/gIQAmh7FfI_blog.html
Could Boehner and Reid plans both hurt recovery?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/28/999971/-Both-Boehner-and-Reid-austerity-plans-could-hurt%C2%A0recovery
Both Boehner and Reid austerity plans could hurt recovery

Rupertgate: “A New Low”

http://newstalgia.crooksandliars.com/gordonskene/rupertgate-thursday-new-low

Another bloc targeted by strict voter ID laws – and this one might surprise you

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/07/do-voter-id-laws-target-women

Bonus item: I’m always looking for a good nickname for folks, and I have one for Michele Bachmann.

The Mean Girl now says that spouses are off limits for political attacks – well, HER spouse, anyway

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/07/rewind_the_tape_to_2008.php
Michele Bachmann today: Totally out of bounds to scrutinize my husband while I'm running for President.

Michele Bachmann in 2008: Michelle Obama has "very anti-American views."

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/28/1000027/-Bachmann:-Lay-off-my-spouse,-while-I-go-after-yours

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

FOOD FIGHT

The Repubs have created a big problem for themselves. They thought they could exploit the passion and insurgent spirit of the Tea Party and their rabid supporters to take control of Congress, then domesticate these people to fit into their broader policy agenda. But they discovered that the TPers really believed what they were saying about radically dismantling government. Now, with the budget fight, establishment Repubs are finding out that these people want to take over the party, and that compromise and pragmatism are not in their vocabulary. Symbolic sops like the “Cut, Cap, and Balance” bill don’t placate them – they MEAN it

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/conservatives-renew-campaign-against-boehner-debt-limit-plan.php
Conservatives Renew Campaign Against Boehner Debt Limit Plan

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/republicans-turn-each-other-over-rep-jo
Republicans turn on each other over Rep. John Boehner's Debt Deal

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/07/republican-clown-show-proceeds-apace
The Republican Clown Show . . .

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/gop-establishment-starts-leaning-hard-on-internal-rebels.php
GOP Establishment Starts Leaning Hard On Internal Rebels

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/173841-boehner-to-gop-get-your-ass-in-line
Boehner to GOP: ‘Get your ass in line’

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/house-gop-leaders-try-to-salvage-boehner-plan-amid-deep-divisions.php
After Tempers Flare, GOP Tries to Smooth Over Differences

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/corralling-kooks.html
Corralling the kooks

http://www.slate.com/id/2300208/
One by one, the conservative stalwarts of the 112th Congress ascended a small stage and rallied their soldiers. Mike Lee! Rand Paul! Jim DeMint! Louie Gohmert! Steve King! Behind them: an impressive arrangement of the American flag and the Capitol dome. In front of them: about three dozen Tea Party activists . . .

More: http://firedoglake.com/2011/07/27/establishment-republicans-beginning-to-lose-patience-with-teabaggers/

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/mccain_laments_bizarro_ideas_f031137.php

The monster they created

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/07/27/lyons_deadbeat
GOP cultists occupy a metaphysical netherworld where basic arithmetic is scorned as an elitist tool

http://www.thewashingtoncurrent.com/2011/07/tea-party-continues-to-press-for.html
Tea Party Continues To Press For Default

http://my.firedoglake.com/scarecrow/2011/07/26/krugman-on-debt-cults-centrism-and-balance/
“The Cult that is destroying America”

The Republican style of governing

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/27/999500/-John-Boehner-makes-case-for-his-plan:-Barack-Obama-hates-it
John Boehner makes case for his plan: 'Barack Obama hates it'

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/quote_of_the_day_7031132.php

Where's Obama? Are Democratic leaders asking him to stay out of the public budget negotiations, because they think the Repubs are more likely to make a deal with them than with the President, and because his involvement energizes the GOP extremist wing? It certainly seems as if part of the GOP calculus is to do NOTHING that appears to give Obama a victory

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/28/us/politics/28obama.html
President on Sidelines in Critical Battle Over Debt Ceiling

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-struggles-to-remain-a-player-in-debt-talks/2011/07/26/gIQAfcJxcI_blog.html
Obama struggles to remain a player in debt talks

Net loss

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/26/999125/-Report:-Post-recession-jobs-dont-pay-as-well-as-the-ones-that-were-lost
Post-recession jobs don't pay as well as the ones that were lost

Here’s what Fox considers “Breaking News”

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/whats-tea-party-if-no-one-shows-it-becomes-

I told you Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik sounded a lot like Pat Buchanan

http://www.americablog.com/2011/07/msnbcs-pat-buchanan-says-norwegian.html
[Pat Buchanan] As for a climactic conflict between a once-Christian West and an Islamic world that is growing in numbers and advancing inexorably into Europe for the third time in 14 centuries, on this one, Breivik may be right.

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/27/999492/-Add-terrorist-apologist-to-Pat-Buchanans-resume

Oh, REALLY?

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/07/27/romney_reveals_his_short_list.html
At a Virginia fundraiser, Mitt Romney took the highly unusual step of naming people on his short list for a vice presidential running mate, reports Bearing Drift.

The names: Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).

I think we’re seeing a pattern here

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/bachmann-sought-government-backed-loan-she-condemned.php
Bachmann Sought Government-Backed Loan She Condemned

Bonus item: “Bachmannalia!”

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/07/27/introducing_bachmannalia

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

“WE’RE GONNA HURT SOME PEOPLE”

Having shot down every alternative, John Boehner now finds that he can’t even get his bill through his own chamber. And even if he does, it can’t pass the Senate, and Obama has said he will veto it. What a way to run a country

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/07/26/boehner-doesnt-have-the-votes-to-pass-his-own-debt-limit-plan/
Boehner Doesn’t Have the Votes to Pass His Own Debt Limit Plan

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/26/999179/-Debt-ceiling-game-plans-all-leading-nowhere
Debt ceiling 'game plans' all leading nowhere

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/why-boehners-debt-limit-plan-will-have-to-fail-before-endgame-becomes-clear.php
Why Boehner’s Debt Limit Plan Will Have To Fail Before Endgame Becomes Clear

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/26/999034/-Cantor-tells-House-Republicans-to-stop-whining-and-start-supporting-Boehner

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/boehners_budget_plan_the_polic031110.php

http://www.slate.com/id/2300100/
Can John Boehner win enough votes for his debt-ceiling plan? What if he can't?

Here’s how they’re trying to whip GOP support

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/07/reservoir_dogs_hill_edition.php
Check out how House Republican leaders are reportedly whipping support for John Boehner's troubled debt limit bill.

From the Post. . .

House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), the party's vote counter, began his talk by showing a clip from the movie, "The Town", trying to forge a sense of unity among the independent-minded caucus.

One character asks his friend: "I need your help. I can't tell you what it is. You can never ask me about it later."

"Whose car are we gonna take," the character says. . . .

A couple things. First, that's not the complete movie quote. Here's the complete quote:

Doug MacRay: I need your help. I can't tell you what it is, you can never ask me about it later, and we're gonna hurt some people.

James Coughlin: ...Whose car we takin'?. . .

It's not clear if House Republicans fed an edited script to the Post, if the Post omitted the "hurt some people," line themselves, or if GOP leadership actually edited the clip itself when it was screened. But I also can't fathom why they find this scene particularly inspirational -- and even if they do, why they decided to feed it to the press.

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/07/26/house_gop_uses_movie_clip_to_rally_support.html
Judd Legum notes that in the movie, "the characters then put on hockey masks and bludgeon two men with sticks, then shoot one man in the leg."

“Civil War”

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/it-is-a-period-of.php
[Benjy Sarlin & Evan McMorris-Santoro] Boehner's fellow conservatives are sniping at him with (not so) friendly fire. Now the vote he'd hoped to bring triumphantly to the floor Wednesday looks delayed until at least Thursday, and even then the outcome is uncertain.

That's because the GOP is teetering on the brink of a debt-based civil war. More traditional Republicans and big business types are desperate to avoid a recovery-crushing default. But their Tea Party colleagues are leading a rebellion of epic - perhaps even galactic - proportions. . . [read on]

More: http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/house-republicans-revolt-against-boehner-debt-plan

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/07/26/boehner_faces_gop_rebellion.html

The House the GOP built can’t pass ANYTHING

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/the-problem-in-a-nutshell-house-cant-pass-jack/2011/03/28/gIQAdlvMbI_blog.html

They can’t even get their numbers straight

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/gop-retooling-debt-limit-plan-after-damaging-cbo-score.php
Moments after the Congressional Budget Office released an analysis finding that the House Republicans' debt limit bill falls far short of one their key goals, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) decided to rewrite the legislation, and according to GOP leadership, an expected Wednesday floor vote on the package will be delayed until Thursday at the earliest. . . .

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/boehners-debt-limit-plan-slashes-the-deficit-by1-billion-next-year.php
Exempting war spending -- which goes untouched in Boehner's plan -- the legislation would reduce spending by only $5 billion next fiscal year. And its impact on the deficit is even less -- a paltry $1 billion. . . .

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/07/26/boehner_plan_would_lead_to_downgrade.html
CNN reports that Boehner's debt plan would actually not meet the threshold of ratings agencies to avoid a downgrade of the naton's debt while Sen. Harry Reid's debt plan would would preserve the country's AAA credit rating.

We’re starting to recognize the Republican style of governing in the modern era. They ruin everything they can’t control, and paralyze government when they can. Then they use the failure of government as a reason why they deserve to be in charge. Here’s the next chapter to come

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/07/but_wait_theres_more.php

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/hoyer-after-default-crisis-look-forward-to-another-government-shutdown-fight.php

And the phony “even-handedness” of the press is one of their main weapons

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/07/not_leveling_with_viewers.php
[CNN] "They're all talking, but no one is compromising, at least publicly. Democratic and GOP leaders appear unwilling to bend on proposals to raise the debt ceiling."

Here is some “news” for the news

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/public_sides_with_obama_in_deb031113.php
Public sides with Obama in debt-ceiling fight

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/public_answers_potus_call_to_a031105.php
Tuesday morning, the congressional switchboard sent an email to congressional offices that read: “Due to the high volume of external calls, House telephone circuits serving 202-225-XXXX phone numbers are near capacity resulting in outside callers occasionally getting busy signals.” The 225 exchange is the one used by members of the House. In spot calls to six House offices Tuesday morning, a busy signal was often found.

And that’s just the phone lines. House web servers have also been overwhelmed. . . . [read on]

The wealth gap: shocking numbers

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/26/999000/-Wealth-gap-along-racial-lines-worst-in-quarter-century-since-Census-began-collecting-data

http://www.emptywheel.net/2011/07/26/median-net-worth-of-whites-twenty-times-that-of-african-americans/

More: http://www.americablog.com/2011/07/400-richest-americans-pay-only-18-tax.html
400 richest Americans pay only 18% tax rate

It’s a question of priorities

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/bachmann-has-missed-40-of-votes-since-campaign-began.php
Bachmann Has Missed 40% Of Votes Since Campaign Began

Rhymes with “screwed”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/26/gingrich-climate-change_n_910230.html
Gingrich Says 2006 Climate Change Ad He Starred In Was 'Misconstrued'

Bill O’Reilly: Don’t call Anders Breivik a “Christian”

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/oreillys-outraged-liberal-media-are-

But he is: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/26/reminders-that-norwegian-_n_910097.html

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/07/26/breivik_christian

Bonus item: Wondering what Dinesh D’Souza is up to these days? (thanks to AG for the link)

http://nymag.com/news/features/kings-college-2011-8/
Dinesh D’Souza is Shaping an Army of Christian Intellectuals at King’s College

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

NOT SERIOUS

Let’s review how we got here, shall we? John Boehner said he wanted a comprehensive approach to the deficit. When Obama gave him a $4 trillion plan, he said no and came back with a $1 trillion proposal that solves nothing. Boehner said he wanted a long-term solution, not a short-term fix. When Obama gave him a long-term plan, including politically painful cuts to entitlements, he said no and now wants a plan that only pushes back the debt ceiling crisis for a few months. Boehner said he wanted a plan that included cuts and no revenue increases, but when Harry Reid gave him such a plan, he said no to that too.

I’m not crazy about the Reid plan, but it had its effect, which is to show up Boehner and the House Repubs as lying phonies

http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/07/25/277811/harry-reid-calls-house-republicans-bluff/
[Matt Yglesias] Republicans are rejecting this even though it nominally meets their demands. Why? Because it doesn’t achieve either of their two real objectives. In particular, the plan doesn’t cut Medicare, which means that Democratic party candidates for office in November 2012 and 2014 can accurately remind voters of the content of the Republican budget plan. In case you forgot, this plans repeals Medicare. Having repealed Medicare, it then gives seniors vouchers to purchase more expensive private health insurance. And having replaced Medicare with a voucher system, it then ensures that the vouchers will grow steadily stingier over time. It was only after voting for this plan that Republicans seem to have realized that repealing Medicare is unpopular. Since that time, they’ve been trying to entrap Democrats into reaching some kind of Medicare détente with them, which would immunize them from criticism. Reid’s plan doesn’t do that.

Second, while Reid’s plan doesn’t raise taxes, it also doesn’t take tax increases off the table. Currently, the Bush tax cuts are scheduled to expire in 2012. If Reid’s all-cuts plan passes, that still leaves the door open to significant revenue increases. Now that doesn’t mean this is brilliant 11-dimensional chess. The Reid Plan is consistent with substantial revenues coming online in 2012, but that will only happen if President Obama and Senate Democrats stand firm and play hardball on the tax issue. Back in December 2010, they utterly failed to do so.

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/07/getting-no
[Kevin Drum] For the past few months President Obama has been open to nearly any proposal to curb spending and raise the debt ceiling. There's only one thing he's said he categorically won't accept: a short-term increase that kicks the can down the road and forces us to replay this entire battle next year. So guess what John Boehner plans to propose?. . .

Is there any doubt left about what Republican goals are at this point? Boehner has rejected every possible compromise offered to him, and now plans to unilaterally hold a vote on the one thing — the only thing — that he knows Obama won't accept. . .

More: http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/07/25/278614/comparative-deficit-reduction/

Boehner’s alternative? The “Cut, Cap, and Balance” plan, which was never anything more than a political stunt to placate his far right wing. Boehner tries to call it a “bipartisan” bill, because five Dems voted for it

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/boehner-pins-debt-blame-on-obamas-demands-for-a-blank-check.php

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/07/obama-vs-boehner-pair-nothingburgers

http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/07/25/278913/cbpp-analysis-of-john-boehners-plan
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities concludes that if enacted, John Boehner’s debt ceiling plan “could well produce the greatest increase in poverty and hardship produced by any law in modern U.S. history.” . . .

This tells you what his real priorities are

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/173311-boehner-briefed-limbaugh-on-debt-plan
Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) outlined the GOP's debt-ceiling plan to conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh on Monday before showing it to his conference. . . .

So, Obama concluded by asking people to contact their Congressional reps to tell them to make a deal. The response was so overwhelming that the House servers crashed. Wouldn’t you think this is newsworthy? Have you heard about it? I found only one story in all the press

http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/congressional-websites-crash-after-obama-urges-people-to-reach-out-on-debt-ceiling-20110725

Obama’s full text: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/obama-default-would-be-reckless-and-irresponsible.php

The Village dependably spins the “both sides refuse to compromise” line, which is what the GOP has been counting on all along

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/fareed-zakaria-plays-both-sides-are-equall

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/radical-center-returns-villager-style

David Brooks (surprise) contradicts himself

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/07/david-brooks-vs-david-brooks

No, Obama isn’t going to let the nation default. Mark Kleiman does some reporting

http://www.samefacts.com/2011/07/debt-ceiling/the-dog-that-did-not-bark-in-the-night-time-2/
I met today with a civil servant who was deeply involved in the planning for a government shut-down back when the House GOP threatened not to extend the Continuing Resolution. This far out from D-Day, detailed plans were in place and guidance had been given to the agencies. No such planning is now happening.

Sounds to me as if they have an ace in the hole.

Beck and other right-wingers make excuses for the Norway bomber

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/glenn-beck-mocks-norway-victims-sounds-

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/mirror-mirror.html

I thought people in Minnesota were NICE. But Pawlenty and Bachmann have quite the little squabble going on here

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/bachmann-slams-pawlenty-compares-ex-gov-to-obama.php
Bachmann Slams Pawlenty, Compares Ex-Gov To Obama

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/pawlenty-to-bachmann-i-get-stuff-done.php
Pawlenty to Bachmann: ‘I Get Stuff Done’


Bonus item: Why do we have a deficit? The answer is obvious

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/07/whats-behind-deficit-kabuki

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/blame_where_blame_is_due031073.php

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

REWARDING BAD BEHAVIOR

They’d better not . . .

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/07/new_statement_from_reid.php
"Democrats Agree To Nearly $3 Trillion In Cuts With No Revenue Increases"

More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/07/24/cnn-reid-working-on-his-own-all-cuts-debt-limit-proposal/

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/where_things_stand_3031062.php
[Steve Benen] At first blush, it may sound crazy that Reid would present a “compromise” with $2.5 trillion in cuts with no additional revenue — in effect, a plan that could have been crafted by Republicans weeks ago — but in Reid’s defense, it’s worth emphasizing that the Majority Leader probably counts half of those savings (at least) from ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In general, Republicans don’t consider cuts to be cuts unless working people are suffering in some direct way, so his approach isn’t likely to go over well, but if GOP officials want a $2.5 trillion plan with no revenues, Reid is prepared to give them one. . . .

[NB: So, it appears, another plan that is guaranteed to be rejected by the Repubs. But the Dems can say they are giving them what they want, and the Repubs still can't say yes to it. Looks like we're still in the politics of navigating blame.]

Meanwhile, the GOPers now want a short-term fix that will have us right back in this same spot in January

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/duel-or-duet-reid-and-boehner-poised-to-introduce-different-bills-to-avoid-default.php

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/07/24/boehner-schemes-to-force-a-short-term-debt-limit-increase/

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/boehner_preps_his_plan031061.php

Do you remember when any attempt to try to understand the motives of Islamic terrorists or to suggest that they might have legitimate grievances was widely condemned? They’re madmen and murderers and that’s all there is to it. If you try to suggest they might have rational motives, you are taking their side.

Well, we’re already witnessing a remarkable effort to make Anders Breivik sound a lot like, well, a lot like Pat Buchanan!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/norway-suspect-says-nato-bombing-of-serbia-tipped-the-scales-on-path-toward-violence/2011/07/24/gIQAr2EIXI_story.html
Anders Behring Breivik said he was a boy when his life’s path began to turn. It was during the first Gulf War, when a Muslim friend cheered at reports of missile attacks against American forces.

“I was completely ignorant at the time and apolitical but his total lack of respect for my culture (and Western culture in general) actually sparked my interest and passion for it,” the suspect in Norway’s bombing and mass shooting wrote in his 1,500-page manifesto.

The 32-year-old Norwegian said it was the NATO bombing of Serbia in 1999 that “tipped the scales” for him because he sympathized with Serbia’s crackdown on ethnic Albanian Muslims in Kosovo. A year later he said he realized that what he called the “Islamization of Europe” couldn’t be stopped by peaceful means.

Police and Breivik’s lawyer says he confessed to, but denied criminal responsibility for, Friday’s bombing at government headquarters in Oslo and the mass shooting later that day at an island summer camp organized by the youth wing of the ruling Labor Party. At least 93 people were killed in the attacks.

Breivik’s manifesto chronicled events that deepened his contempt for Muslims and “Marxists” he blamed for making Europe multicultural. . . . [read on]

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/conservative-christian-knight.html
[Kevin MacDonald, Professor of Psychology at Cal State Long Beach] admires Anders Breivik for his analytic skills and clarity of thought:

In general, however, it must be said that he is a serious political thinker with a great many insights and some good practical ideas on strategy . . . [read on]

More: http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/norway-terrorist-anders-breivik-leav

http://mydd.com/2011/7/24/a-7

Fox, of course, still has trouble coming up with a term to describe him

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/fox-news-refuses-acknowledge-norway-shooter
“[I]t's a case of domestic extremism and there do not appear to be any known links to an outside terrorist group. . . .”

More: http://firedoglake.com/2011/07/24/and-the-stupidest-right-wing-comment-about-the-norway-terrorist-attacks-award-goes-to/
And the Stupidest Right-Wing Comment about the Norway Terrorist Attacks Award Goes to…

The Republicans know that the long-term demographic trends in voters are against them. So all they can do is try to reduce the number of eligible voters from those groups who vote. And that’s just what they are doing

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/gop-voter-disenfranchisement-wisconsin-styl

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/new-evidence-vote-hacking-emerges-ohio-2004

In case you missed the Sunday talk shows

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/24/tv-soundoff-sunday-talkin_n_896740.html

Bonus item: The Thrill is Gone

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/07/25/palin_documentary_bombs.html
"With its Sarah Palin documentary The Undefeated increasing its playdates by 40% this weekend, only to watch box office revenue decline by more than 63 percent, distributor Arc Entertainment announced Sunday that the film will soon be available on pay per view," Reuters reports.

"The movie played in 14 Tea Party-friendly locations this weekend -- up from the 10 in which it opened last week -- but grossed just $24,000."

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

LOOKING FOR GROWNUPS

Congressional leaders now try to hammer out a deal with no White House involvement. What. A. Mess.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/us/politics/24debt.html
Despite growing fears that world markets might react negatively to a breakdown in the federal budget negotiations, Congressional leaders clashed Saturday night as they tried to reach a new deficit-reduction agreement . . .

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/zero-progress-reid-rips-gop-leaders-over-debt-ceiling-intransigence.php
Reid Rips GOP Leaders Over Debt Ceiling ‘Intransigence’

Calming the markets? http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/07/where_we_are_now.php

One reason the process broke down

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/white-house-we-thought-we-were-down-to-the-details.php
Obama rejected a last minute demand from the GOP that the deal include a repeal of the individual mandate in healthcare reform . . .

More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/07/23/debt-deal-both-sides-included-late-stage-changes/

What Obama offered Boehner

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/07/republicans-and-deficit-narrative
[Kevin Drum] I'm pretty stunned by White House confirmation that Obama offered to raise the Medicare eligibility age to 67 — a truly terrible idea that wouldn't even save very much money. If this is true, it means either (a) Obama really is willing to sell out the left almost completely, or (b) he's trying to demonstrate how completely intransigent Republicans are. I can't even guess which at this point. Maybe both.

Frankly, though, the endless "inside" reporting of offers and counteroffers isn't very interesting any more. I think we've seen pretty much every permutation possible. Details aside, what's obvious is that Obama is willing to concede a helluva lot while a big chunk of Republicans are not only unwilling to concede anything, but think it would be great to just go ahead and default. So what if the economy goes kablooey? It'll help defeat Obama! . . . [read on]

More: http://www.samefacts.com/2011/07/uncategorized/what-obama-offered-to-boehner/

Is Obama winning this fight?

http://www.samefacts.com/2011/07/barack-obama/barack-obama-republicans-the-debt-ceiling-and-the-principle-of-adequate-cordage/

Right-wingers still have trouble with the concept of right-wing “terrorism”

http://www.emptywheel.net/2011/07/23/naming-terrorism/

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2011/07/23/nyt

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/why-right-wing-domestic-terrorists-a

Who is Anders Breivik? http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/norway-terrorist-breivik-was-ardent-

Here come the theocrats

http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/introducing-gop-divine-right-pledge

Something else to worry about (thanks to DR for the link)

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-harte-population-20110721,0,715317.story
[Mary Ellen Harte and Anne Ehrlich] We live in an information-drenched environment, one in which sports and favorite programs are just a click away. And the ease with which we can do this allows us to focus on mostly comforting subjects that divert our attention from increasingly real, long-term problems.

Notice that we didn't mention climate change above, or the exploding population/consumption levels that are triggering it — the two major factors threatening humanity's future. . . . [read on]

Sunday talk show line-ups

http://firedoglake.com/2011/07/24/sunday-talking-heads-july-24-2011/
ABC’s This Week: Debt Ceiling – Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Bipartisanship – Former Senate leaders Trent Lott (R-MS) and Tom Daschle (D-SD). Equal Marriage – Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I-NYC) and then some. Roundtable: George Will, Arianna Huffington, Charlie Gasparino, Alice Rivlin. Ends with ABC News correspondent Lama Hasan on the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa.

CBS’ Face the Nation: Debt Ceiling – White House Chief of Staff William Daley, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ), and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), and Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA).

CNN’s State of the Union: Debt Ceiling – Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Then, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Rep. Tom Price (R-GA). Horse Race – Tim Pawlenty.

NBC’s Meet the Press: Debt Ceiling – White House Chief of Staff William Daley. Sen. Tom Coburn (R- OK). Roundtable: Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE); Tea party freshman Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL); Mayor of Newark, Cory Booker (D); Doris Kearns Goodwin; Andrea Mitchell.

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

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VERY FUNNY

So, the budget negotiations have broken down (though they’re meeting again later today). People keep “walking away from the table” and then suddenly end up walking back, so who knows? But here is what is clear. The House GOP was NEVER going to agree to a decent bill. Here’s proof:

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/07/lead_balloon.php
Speaker Boehner to House GOP this morning: We have a debt deal!

House GOP: [nervous silence]

Speaker Boehner: Just joking!

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/you-know-the-dizzying-array.php

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/breaking-john-boehner-out-talks-obama-s

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/07/22/grand-bargain-talks-break-down/

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/its_tough_to_negotiate_with_cr031041.php

http://www.americablog.com/2011/07/debt-talks-meltdown.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/the-context-of-liberal-surrender-and-barack-obamas-choices/2011/07/22/gIQAFx7rTI_blog.html

Obama is pissed: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/scenes-from-obamas-angriest-press-conference-video.php
"Can they say yes to anything?"

Two versions

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/white-house-we-thought-we-were-down-to-the-details.php
White House: We Thought We Were Down To The Details

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/documents/2011/07/boehner-ends-talks-with-white-house-on-debt-deal.php
[Boehner] A deal was never really close

More: http://www.slate.com/id/2299941/

A tale of two pressers

Obama: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/22/997561/-President-Obama-to-make-statement-on-deficit-talks

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/22/997568/-President-Obama-statement-on-Boehner-withdrawal-from-debt-ceiling-talks

Boehner: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/22/997583/-Boehner-press-briefing-on-his-withdrawal-from-deficit-reduction-negotiation

The shifting meanings of “revenue”

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/07/obama-gop-try-to-figure-out-way-forward-on-debt/1
Boehner said he had an agreement with the White House for $800 billion in revenue, but Obama added $400 billion at the last week. . . .

More: http://www.americablog.com/2011/07/on-dem-side-is-it-really-down-to.html

What now?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/boehner-obama-talks-collapse-on-to-plan-b----the-question-is-which-one.php

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/11-days-until-disaster-three-options-to-prevent-it/2011/07/11/gIQAjRWEUI_blog.html

The bombing and shootings in Oslo were followed instantly by the usual right-wing fearmongering about Muslims. Well, guess what?

http://mydd.com/2011/7/23/its-time-to-round-up-all-the-right-wing

After an inexplicable sixty-day delay, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will be history

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/23/us/23military.html

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_07/the_official_end_of_dont_ask_d031045.php

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/22/997544/-Top-Marine-NCO-preps-troops-for-DADT-end

Ominous drum roll, please. . .

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/report_justice_department_prepping_subpoenas_for_news_corp_inquiry.php
Justice Department Prepping Subpoenas For News Corp Inquiry

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/22/997487/-News-Corp-scandal-roundup:-Justice-Department-preparing-subpoenas

More: http://newstalgia.crooksandliars.com/gordonskene/rupertgate-friday-neville
As was reported yesterday, there are now growing questions over the honesty of the testimony given by James Murdoch during the Inquiry hearings on Tuesday. . . .

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/news-corps-neil-wallis-arrested-role-ph
Neil Wallis, the man behind the phone hacking for News Corp, was also hired by Scotland Yard to consult for them -- right at the same time, coincidentally, that the Yard decided not to dig deeper into the phone hacking -- which is unbelievable, when you wrap your head around it. . . .

The party of white people

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/souls-of-white-folk.html

http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/07/22/276773/gop-making-strong-party-id-gains-among-whites/

The invisible man

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/07/22/newt_is_still_running.html
Dispelling rumors that his troubled campaign is on life support, Lloyd Grove confirms that Newt Gingrich is still running for president. . .

Sarah!s advisers are telling her she can run a campaign for President without, you know, ever actually campaigning

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/07/22/palin_advisers_want_her_to_run_different_campaign.html

Bonus item: We love Rachel

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/07/22/maddow_enjoys_conservative_mocking
Santorum said she peddles "smut," an Ohio Republican called her a "cross dressing lesbian" and she is flattered . . . [read on]

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***