Outside the Beltway

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

The DON’T PANIC Edition OTB Caption Contest^TM is now over.

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.

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?

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

It is always useful to go inside the numbers.

The main problem remains the House.

The Operation Dumbo Drop Edition OTB Caption Contest^TM is now over.

I no longer have any confidence that our leaders will act responsibly before the August 2nd debt ceiling deadline.

Christine Lagarde believes the impact could be large and global.

Barack Obama’s biggest enemy in the debt negotiations has been himself.

Their mouths were moving, but nothing of substance was coming out.

Some history of the last 7+months.

Yes, the President is a key actor in the debt ceiling debate. However, the actual decision is a congressional one.