Outside the Beltway

We have a deal in Washington. Now, the leadership just has to make sure it can pass Congress.

Much like bills named for dead children, there’s a very high likelihood that any bill with “protecting children” and/or “pornographers” in the title is a) a very bad idea, b) a very stupid idea, c) of dubious Constitutionality, or, as here, d) all of the above.

President Obama and Congressional Republicans have the outline of a deal to raise the debt limit past the 2012 elections.

A recent poll provides some insight into congressional behavior.

Congress failing to raise the debt ceiling would involve abrogating an enormous amount of power to the Executive.

The Senate killed the Boehner Plan but the debt ceiling crisis is still unresolved and the way out is murky.

How the reelection incentive and parliamentary procedure are affecting the debt ceiling debate in Congress.

It’s another Friday of drama in the debt ceiling crisis.

By insisting on perfection in the debt ceiling debate, the Tea Party has made itself irrelevant to the process.

The constitutional purists in the Tea Party apparently do not understand either bicameralism nor separation of powers.

John Boehner’s debt ceiling plan is being amended. And not in a good way.

Charles Krauthammer claims we are in the midst of a great debate. I am not so sure.

And you thought the bad economic news was over.

The failure of House Republicans to pass a bill that would have been dead on arrival in the Senate, anyway, raises questions about whether a deal is possible and whether John Boehner can lead his own coalition.

Another government program isn’t going to bring health care costs under control.

He doesn’t do a very good job.

The rational thing to do is the make a deal that cuts spending and raises the debt ceiling. But how do we get there from here?

The electoral map should be making the Obama 2012 camp just a little bit nervous.

Economic figures released today demonstrate clearly why the irresponsible talk surrounding the debt ceiling must end.