Outside the Beltway

Does Bachmann think the USSR is on the rise? I expect not, but her defense and fiscal policy skills still need some work.

Michelle needs to stop buying shoes–but Barack’s keeping his golf clubs.

On reflection, the nature of Marcus Bachmann’s influence over his wife is indeed a legitimate question in a political campaign.

Denying the Tea Party’s role in the downgrade of U.S. debt is to deny reality.

Last night’s debate was definitely more combative than previous renditions.

Presidents are not a powerful as they seem (and a return to the “are things broken?” theme).

Michele Bachmann is claiming that the debt downgrade proves she was right about not raising the debt ceiling.

If we cannot adequately diagnose our problems it will be even harder to fix them.

A political science-y response to the question of whether the system is broken.

The defense spending lobby is already engaging in fear-mongering over very modest defense cuts.

We are being warned once again that the Postal Service is on the verge of financial collapse. There really is only one solution.

The immediate reaction among the political class to the debt downgrade was the play the same old stupid games.

Like the rest of us, financial analysts across the globe are trying to figure out what the U.S. debt downgrade means.

While it’s hard to argue with S&P’s political analysis, its economic judgment is a head-scratcher.

The main issue driving the downgrade appears to be lack of faith in the political parties to act responsibly and compromise over entitlements and revenues.

The agenda of the Tea Party movement doesn’t necessarily coincide with what voters say they want from Washington.

The job approval numbers for Congress are at historic lows, but will that matter in 2012?

The “super committee” created by the debt ceiling deal is already the subject of criticism, most of it unwarranted.

Don’t worry be happy!

Congress is failing to complete even simple tasks thanks to a bitter partisan divide.

I got your broken right here: the presidential nomination process.

Rumors of Timothy Geithner’s departure from the Treasury Department may have been exaggerated.

The Straw Boss Edition OTB Caption Contest^TM is now over.

Following on Doug’s cheery post about the weak state of the economy here are some more things to consider.

Has a precedent been set for future requests by the President to increase the debt ceiling?

The reviews are in on the debt negotiations, and the public isn’t happy.

Michael Cohen argues that our system is broken because Republicans will no longer compromise.

You thought you’d seen the worst of Congress in July? Oh, you silly American you.

Vice President Biden has called Congressional Republicans and their Tea Party backers “terrorists.”

Once again, the debt ceiling deal is raising questions about the President’s leadership.

Condi Rice’s speechwriter thinks Huntsman can appeal to the Tea Party.

Another round of economic statistics raises questions about the health of the economy.

Did the debt ceiling debate reveal dysfunctional government?

Now that America’s political leadership have probably averted a self-inflicted global economic calamity, it’s time to assess the winners and losers.

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.