Senator Vitter: This Is a Political Accomplishment, Not a Fiscal One

David Vitter says we are still increasing our debt $7 trillion over the next 10 years.

Lindsey Graham follows by saying "we're going to jeapordize our ability to defend this nation if we are looking to the Defense Dept. to pay the major burden of this deal." From Fox News Hannity

Breaking: Obama, Boehner, Democrats Strike Debt Deal to Head Off Government Default (Video)

Obama announces deal has been reached at 8:40 p.m. at the White House press briefing room. Video:

President Barack Obama announced on Sunday that Democrats and Republicans leaders have reached an agreement to reduce the U.S. deficit and avoid default.

Obama said the agreement will cut about $1 trillion over 10 years.

The bipartisan plan will be presented to Congress on Monday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said.

"Leaders from both parties and in both chambers will present this agreement to our caucuses tomorrow," Reid said on the Senate floor.

Other political news of note First Read: 'Very close' to deal that looks a lot like Boehner plan
A GOP source close to the negotiations tells NBC News that both sides are "very close" to agreement on a two-step debt-ceiling deal that's essentially the Boehner plan without the balanced-budget amendment and modified triggers.

"To pass this settlement, we'll need the support of Democrats and Republicans in both the House and Senate. There is no way either party, in either chamber, can do this alone."

Earlier in the day, Reid had warned that "as we know, one problem can stop the whole agreement from going forward.”

And one potential obstacle seemed to be developing: the size of cuts to military spending that might be forced by a "trigger" if Congress couldn’t meet certain deficit reduction targets on its own

Report: Boehner Balking At Debt Deal

blogs.wsj.com 6:24 p.m.

House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) appears to be balking at the debt ceiling deal that Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada has signed. Mr. Boehner is concerned about provisions in the deal that could lead to sharp cuts in military spending, say people familiar with the situation. House aides have warned that just because Mr. Reid has signed off on the deal doesn’t mean the deal is done

Herman Cain wins Western Conservative Summit Straw Poll; Rick Perry Second

"My message is resonating with the people"-Cain

abcnews

Presidential candidate Herman Cain won the straw poll at the Western Conservative Summit in Denver this weekend with 48 percent of the votes, followed by Texas Governor Rick Perry.

“How about spectacular,” Cain said to ABC News when asked how he felt about winning. “I would say that winning the straw poll is not bad for somebody who has a 48 percent name ID and with a lot of people who didn’t really give me a chance. I am doing as well as I’m doing for one simple reason.

My message is resonating with the people. Secondly, my approach to problem solving, so I guess there’s two reasons, is resonating with the people, so that does make us feel really really excited.”

Cain gave a rousing speech at the summit Sunday morning, energizing the crowd with his message about American independent energy, immigration, and fighting the establishment. Many people turned in their straw poll ballot before Cain’s speech and tried to switch their votes after hearing him speak, though the conference did not allow it

Reid Bill Defeated in the Senate

Vote of 50-49. Scott Brown votes with the Dems

The Senate voted largely along party lines on Sunday afternoon to block legislation crafted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) that would raise the debt limit by $2.4 trillion.

Reid and other Democratic leaders worked intently to persuade centrist Republicans to support the plan but fell short.

The vote to end a GOP filibuster failed 50-49. Only Sen. Scott Brown, a centrist Republican from Massachusetts, defied the GOP leadership.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) voted against Reid's plan, as did Reid himself in a procedural move that allows him to bring it back to the floor.

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) was the only senator to miss the vote.

Now Democratic senators are waiting for Reid to call a special caucus meeting with senior administration officials to hear about the status of negotiations with GOP leaders on the latest compromise attempt. A meeting announced for 2 p.m. was postponed at the last moment.

Lawmakers say they have been told the president and GOP leaders are closing in on a deal and expect one as soon as this afternoon.

Reid told colleagues shortly after noon that he is cautiously optimistic about the negotiations. via thehill

Bill Kristol Wants a Ryan-Rubio GOP Ticket For 2012

From Fox News Sunday Panel Plus

dailycaller

On “Fox News Sunday,” Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol reiterated his support for a Paul Ryan-Marco Rubio presidential dream ticket.

“I think it should be Ryan-Rubio, but if Paul Ryan is a little hesitant to seize the moment, I think Marco Rubio has to do it and make Paul Ryan his vice president,” Kristol said. “But Ryan-Rubio or Rubio-Ryan would be a very strong ticket. These are two pretty spectacular speeches given on the floor of the House Thursday night, then on the floor of the Senate by Rubio yesterday

"We Should Be Even Talking About Spending Cuts At All...These Spending Cuts Are Gonna Worsen Unemployment"-Krugman

Huh?

Lib insanity: Paul Krugman on ABC This Week says spending cuts are gonna going to hurt our long-term fiscal position. He wasn't done. Krugman says Republicans are saying we're going to "blow up" the world economy if you don't give us what we want

"Go Away, I Want You To Go Away," Police Arrest Cameraman For Recording Police Chase (Video)

Where do you want me to go?” the man asks, the officer responds “I don’t care where you go, go away". Here's another one of those videos that show police arresting a person because they don't want him recording even though this guy is on a public sidewalk and is far away from the scene. This is in Suffolk County NY Friday evening. I'm thinking this one could go viral. Roll tape:

Suffolk County police arrested a cameraman for Stringer News Service in Bohemia on Friday night after he was told repeatedly by an officer to “go away” and stop recording the scene of a police chase.

Stringer—a company that chases news in Nassau and Suffolk counties and sells photos and videos to local news organizations—posted the video on YouTube Friday night after the incident.

The cameraman, Phil Datz, was standing on the sidewalk of Sycamore Avenue in Bohemia, video taping the end of a police chase, when a Fifth Precinct police officer told him to “just go away.”

“Where do you want me to go?” asked Datz.

“I don’t care where you go, go away,” said the officer, who later warned Datz that he would “get locked up” if he continued to argue with him

.

Majority Leader Harry Reid Halts Senate Debate of His Debt Ceiling Plan and Announces A Vote Will Be At 1 P.M. Sunday

NBC News

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced Saturday night that he was delaying a vote on his deficit-cutting bill until 1 p.m. Sunday in order to give negotiators more time to reach an accord on raising the debt limit.

“There are many elements to be finalized and there is still a distance to go before any arrangement can be completed, but I believe we should give everyone as much room as possible to do their work,” Reid said on the Senate floor.

Reid said that he'd spoken to White House officials several times Saturday night and that they agreed that a delay was necessary “to give them more time to talk” — seeming to imply that the bargaining at this point was between Republicans and President Barack Obama.

“I’m glad to see this move toward cooperation and compromise. I hope it bears fruit,” Reid said.

As of Saturday evening, Reid apparently lacked the 60 votes he needs, under Senate rules, to end debate on his bill and proceed to a final vote.

Nancy Pelosi: Speaker Boehner "Chose To Go To The Dark Side" (Video)

You can hear Republicans react to this outrageous statement on the House floor by Pelosi. She repeats it again after the reaction.

McConnell: "I'm Confident and Optimistic That We're Gonna Get An Agreement in the Very Near Future"

McConnell says he and Speaker Boehner are now talking and "fully engaged" with the White House. He says Leader Reid needs to end the charade that's going on in the Senate and get serious. This presser was after the House vote.

Reid Bill Fails in the House By a Vote of 246-173

House adjourns until 1:00 p.m. tomorrow

The Republican-led House has rejected a Senate Democratic bill that would slash spending and avert a federal government default.

The vote was 246-173. It was a pre-emptive vote in the high-stakes political fight as the Senate still hasn't voted on the measure from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. The measure would raise the debt limit by $2.4 trillion while cutting spending by $2.2 trillion.

The vote could set the stage for negotiations on a compromise just three days before the Treasury says it will be unable to pay all the nation's bills.

Debate on the measure was often testy and reflected the growing frustration among lawmakers. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi pleaded for an end to "this theater of the absurd" and said "it's time for us to get real."

Bush To Be In NYC To Mark 10th Anniversary of 9/11

'Will join Obama and Mayor Bloomberg

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) -- The ceremony at the World Trade Center site marking the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks will be a solemn but stately event that will include former President George W. Bush and a chance for victims' families to view the names of loved ones etched into the memorial, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

President Barack Obama and Bloomberg will be joined by the leaders in charge during the 2001 attacks, including Bush, former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and former New York Gov. George Pataki. Current New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will also be there, he said.

Speaking on his weekly radio show Friday on WOR-AM, Bloomberg said the lawmakers will read short poems or quotes. No speeches will be given.

"This cannot be political," he said. "So that's why there's a poem or a quote or something that each of the readers will read. No speeches whatsoever. That's not an appropriate thing."

The mayor also revealed a few more details for the ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 11. It will be held on the highway to the west of the site, and only relatives will be allowed inside the memorial to look for the names of their loved ones, etched into the railings at two huge waterfalls built in the footprint of the World Trade Center

GOProud Booted From CPAC

Letter

Gregg Keller, National Executive Director
American Conservative Union

GOProud responds
(statement)

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Board of Directors of GOProud, the only national organization representing gay conservatives and their allies, issued the following statement:

“We are deeply disappointed at the decision of the American Conservative Union to bar GOProud from participating in CPAC. They are well within their right to do so, but a decision like this will have consequences" (more at link)

Speaker Boehner: Reid Bill a Non-Starter in the House, It's DOA

"Squanders precious time"


speaker.gov 7/30/11

Today the House of Representatives will bring up – and defeat – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s debt limit legislation. This vote will demonstrate that the Reid bill cannot pass the House. This will also expose any Senate vote on the Reid bill as a pointless political exercise that squanders precious time as the specter of a job-crushing default looms.

The New York Times reports:


“In an effort to send a message, House Republicans plan to allow a symbolic vote Saturday on Mr. Reid’s plan to show that it cannot clear the House.”

There are also fresh signs this morning that Sen. Reid’s bill won’t get very far in his own chamber: POLITICO notes that “Reid’s chances of getting to 60 votes Saturday night appear slim.”

The Budget Control Act passed by the House yesterday was pre-negotiated by House GOP leaders with the bipartisan leadership of the Senate. It is by no means a perfect bill, but it is a positive step forward, built to specifications discussed with the bipartisan leadership of the Senate last weekend in a good faith effort to find a solution to the current crisis. Senate Democrats then walked away from it.

As Speaker Boehner wrote in his op-ed on National Review Online, the House bill is the quickest path to end this crisis:

“Time is now of the essence. The quickest way for Congress to eliminate the possibility of default and ease the growing turmoil in our economy is for the Senate to take up the House-passed bill and send it to the president today. As Senate Democrats themselves noted today, a House bill that has been sent to the Senate and then tabled is ‘still pending’ — meaning it can be taken up and passed at any time. …

“For the sake of our country, and the sake of our economy, the House has passed a responsible bill that can pass the Senate. Now it’s time for our colleagues in the Senate to pass it, send it to the president, and bring this crisis to an end.”

One Senate vote is all that stands between the American people and getting a responsible end to this crisis to President Obama’s desk. Today’s House vote will remind the Senate of the need to act in short order with a job-crushing default looming.

Congress Still Viewed Least Favorably On List of Professions

rasmussenreports

While the ongoing debt ceiling debate hasn’t helped matters, Americans still list being a member of Congress as the least favorable on a list of nine professions.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 19% view members of Congress favorably, including five percent (5%) who share a Very Favorable impression of them. Seventy-seven (77%) view individuals in this profession unfavorably, including 46% who view them Very Unfavorably.

Congressmen have remained in the professional basement since September 2009, when they surpassed corporate CEOs as the least favorable profession. This year’s favorable marks for members of Congress are the lowest measured in surveys since February 2009.

But then voter approval of the job Congress is doing has fallen to a new low - for the second month in a row. Just six percent (6%) now rate Congress' performance as good or excellent. At the same time, negative reviews for the top congressional leaders have risen over the past month. Forty-six percent (46%) now view most members of Congress as corrupt. That’s the highest finding to date.

Favorable/Unfavorable for professions

Dramatic Video: Man Rescued By LAPD After Threatening to Jump Off Building

CBS 2 reports that all this happened over a break-up, the man is 13 stories up


cbs2 Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A videotape surfaced on Friday of a distraught man who was threatening to jump from the roof of a 13-story apartment building in downtown Los Angeles before he was rescued by police officers.

The unidentified man, about 30, was pulled to safety by officers about 6 p.m. Thursday at 111 W. Seventh St., said Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Paul Vernon of the Central Station.

The man was upset over a breakup with his girlfriend, and was on the street side of an iron railing along the edge of the roof when officers pulled him to safety. They secured him by handcuffing him to the railing until firefighters arrived, Vernon said.

The man, whose name was withheld, was taken to a hospital and placed on a 72-hour psychiatric hold.

He bit the arm of one of his rescuers, Officer Rick Linton, but the four-year veteran didn’t let go of him, Vernon said.

“The most amazing thing about this is the officers’ commitment to saving this man in the face of danger to their own lives,” Vernon said.

CNN's Wolf Blitzer: Speaker Boehner Has A Point, Obama Has No Plan

Lib media can't cover for Obama on this one...



BLITZER: "Why haven't the Democrats including the president actually put some actual proposal with numbers on the table that can be considered, scored by the Congressional Budget Office?

Senate Quickly Tables The Boehner Plan 59-41

Six Republicans join Democrats

thehill

The Senate on Friday evening rejected House Speaker John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) plan to raise the debt limit, upping the ante in the game of chicken between House and Senate.

The 59 to 41 vote, on a motion to table the resolution passed by the House less than two-hours before, ran mostly along party lines easily reaching the the simple majority required to sink legislation in the upper chamber.

Six Republicans joined Democrats to table the Boehner resolution were Sens. Jim DeMint (S.C.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Orrin Hatch (Utah), Mike Lee (Utah), Rand Paul (Ky.), and David Vitter (La.).

The onus is now on Senate Democrats to put together a bipartisan bill to increase the debt limit that can win 60 votes in the upper chamber.


Senate Democrats strategy is to send such a compromise vehicle back to the House on Tuesday, which would put intense pressure on House GOP leaders to accept it or risk a national default after Aug. 2.

If Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) can persuade at least seven Republicans to join the Democratic caucus in passing debt-limit legislation, it would give him the upper hand in the standoff with Boehner.

Reporter To Debbie Wasserman Schultz: Hey, Have You Seen A Specific Plan From The President? (Video)

Dodge....


washingtontimes

America's Morning News caught up with Congresswoman Debbie Wsserman-Schultz, DNC Chair and Florida Democrat, and asked if the President would be putting forth a plan anytime soon during the debt ceiling debate:

"The president has been working with the Republican and Democratic leadership on his plans for a longtime. There were a number of plans on the table the Speaker decided to walk away from all of it," she said.

"When it was ready he would have distributed it and he would have put it out on the floor. Unfortunately, Speaker Boehner abandoned that and chose to go it his own way with a plan that doesn’t have any chance of passing and then has pain for the middle class and seniors and children and no balance and now we’re hurdling towards default."

House Speaker John Boehner, Ohio Republican, revised his debt ceiling bill at the last minute by adding a balance budget amendment into it. It appears Mr. Boehner's bill may very well pass the House at this point with this change, but passage in the Democratic controlled Senate is more questionable.

Senator Schumer: "Speaker Boehner Should Give It Up" And Stop "Throwing Red Meat To The Right-Wing Lion" (Video)

Chuck Schumer at a Dem press conference right outside the chamber earlier today

Senator Scott Brown May Support The Reid Plan

Good grief...

politico

Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts told a radio station Friday that he may vote for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's plan to raise the debt ceiling.

"Sen. Brown tells WBUR parties need to work across the aisle to resolve debt-ceiling impasse; he'd vote for Reid's plan," the Boston public radio station posted on its Twitter account.

The moderate Republican, who is up for re-election next year, is in the minority of his party, which overwhelmingly opposes the measure. But increasingly, senators from both parties are saying that there is ample room for compromise between Reid's measure and the one proposed by House Speaker John Boehner.

"Senator Brown will support a bill that contains spending cuts and doesn’t increase taxes and allows us to avoid default," said Marcie Kinzel, spokeswoman for Brown. "That could be a Republican bill, or a Democrat bill – it doesn’t matter."

Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe said she couldn't vote to proceed to the Reid plan, but she said "that's not meant to say there aren't issues between the Reid and Boehner plan that couldn't be worked out."

Even West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat up for reelection next year, said he could support a revised Reid plan depending on how it looks at the end of the day. He announced his opposition to the current draft in a floor speech Thursday afternoon.

Obama Hits 40% in the Gallup Poll

A record low. Can you still have Greek columns at your convention with a 40% approval rating?


gallup

PRINCETON, NJ -- President Obama's job approval rating is at a new low, averaging 40% in July 26-28 Gallup Daily tracking. His prior low rating of 41% occurred several times, the last of which was in April. As recently as June 7, Obama had 50% job approval

Obama's approval rating averaged 46% in June and was near that level for most of July; however, it has stumbled in the past few days, coinciding with intensification of the debt ceiling/budget battle in Washington.

Obama's 40% overall approval rating nearly matches the recent 41% approval Americans gave him for handling the debt ceiling negotiations.

What happened to the good old days?

Harry Reid: ‘Extremists Have Locked Down This Congress’

Reid presser earlier today


cnsnews

– Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he would never agree to a debt ceiling deal that would require another vote before the end of 2012, and blamed “extremists” from blocking a deal now.

A reporter asked Reid Friday if he would be open to a compromise allowing another vote before the end of 2012.

No, no, no. We cannot be in this battle all the time,” Reid said.

“Right now the extremists have locked down this Congress,” Reid continued. “We’re doing nothing. The extremists have locked down the White House. They’re not able to do their work. The country is in an economic malaise and they want to keep this up

White House Says It Would Consider Lifting Debt Ceiling for Few Days If Needed

cnbc.com

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Friday he still believes it is possible to get a debt deal completed to meet the Aug. 2 default deadline.

House Speaker John Boehner, R-OH, walks away after speaking to the press following a meeting with US President Barack Obama on the budget impasse at the White House.

"We still believe that we can get this done in time to meet the deadline of August 2nd," Carney told reporters, saying there needs to be a compromise agreement to break a partisan stalemate.

Carney reiterated that the White House would consider agreeing to lift the debt ceiling for a few days if needed to finish a deal.

The U.S. House of Representatives will reconvene at around 2 p.m. and votes are expected within one to two hours after that, officials said Friday.

The House will likely have to go through several procedural steps before it can vote on the Republican plan to raise the debt ceiling, which has been delayed since Thursday as Republican leaders struggled to round up support.

The Republicans are trying to pass a revised bill, a senior Republican said

Rush on the Addition of a Balance Budget Amendment: "I Want To Say Something To You Conservatives, I Want To Tell You How Damn Proud Of You I Am"

This is the Rush Limbaugh Program show opener from today

Debate Gets Heated Between Dem Pollster Pat Caddell and Radio Talker Hugh Hewitt on Fox News (Video)

Pat Caddell has been doing this quite a bit lately. This is from Hannity

A highly contentious debate on Thursday's "Hannity" wound up getting physical when Fox News analyst Pat Caddell actually pushed conservative talk show host Hugh Hewitt in the arm.

The two were engaged in a lengthy shouting match about the debt ceiling drama in Washington. Caddell was trying to say that both Democrats and Republicans were "screwed up," and Hewitt was, at the same time, trying to say that only Democrats were the problem. Caddell grew more and more frustrated as Hewitt kept talking over him.

"Will you stop interrupting me, Hugh?" Caddell shouted. "No, I won't!" Hewitt shouted back.

Caddell then pushed Hewitt aggressively in the arm. It was far from a left hook to the face, but it certainly seemed to surprise Hewitt, and had the added effect of silencing him.

"You don't have the right to keep doing this crap," Caddell seethed. Sean Hannity had to calm everyone down before the segment could continue.(HuffPo)

Democrats Behind Closed Doors Are Saying "This President Has Been Invisible, He Is Not a Leader" (Video)

Scarborough reports what co-host Mika Brzezinski heard Demcrats saying on Capitol Hill

Allen West: If The Tea Party Wants To Bring a Primary Challenge Against Me, "So Be It"

Allen West on the Laura Ingraham program says "if you're telling me that I need to vote no against the Boehner plan, then tell me what am I voting for"

Ingraham asks West: Col. West: "I'm reading now in the Hill that tea party groups are targeting you for a primary challenge because you are called...a defector"

VIDEO: Governor Chris Christie Speaks Out After Being Hospitalized

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was brought to an area hospital today after having difficulty breathing. After undergoing a series of tests, he was released. The governor spoke about the incident, saying his asthma inhaler didn’t have the effect it normally does, so he and troopers decided he should go to the hospital quickly

Foxinsider

Rand Paul: We Have 10, Maybe 14 Republicans In The Senate Who Are Going To Vote No on the Boehner Plan

Hannity says he knows of 4: Rand Paul, David Vitter, Jim DeMint and Mike Lee. Rand Paul tells Sean that he knows of 10 and maybe even 14 Republicans who will vote no. Here's what he said tonight. This would put the no votes in the 60s with the 50+ Dems promising to vote it down.

Poll: Obama Loses Ground Among Independents

Only 31% say reelect Obama

people-press

The sizeable lead Barack Obama held over a generic Republican opponent in polls conducted earlier this year has vanished as his support among independent voters has fallen off.

Currently, 41% of registered voters say they would like to see Barack Obama reelected, while 40% say they would prefer to see a Republican candidate win in 2012. In May, Obama held an 11-point lead.

This shift is driven by a steep drop-off in support for Obama among independents. The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted July 20-24 among 1,501 adults and 1,205 registered voters finds that just 31% of independent voters want to see Obama reelected, down from 42% in May and 40% in March.

Where Obama held a slim 7-point edge among independent registered voters two months ago, a generic Republican holds an 8-point edge today.

Flashback 2008: Obama carried Independents 52% to 44% over McCain

George Pataki: "I Am Definitely Considering a Run For President"

One more.


firstread

MANCHESTER, NH -- You can add another prominent Republican who’s thinking about a White House bid.

“I am definitely considering a run for president,” former New York Gov. George Pataki told reporters here.

Fresh off a trip to Iowa, Pataki was in the Granite State leading a discussion on the debt crisis at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm's College.

"We are engaged in generational theft. Politicians in Washington are stealing from our children's future… This is not leadership,” Pataki told the group.

When asked about the current GOP presidential field's handling of the debt problem, Pataki seemed dissatisfied.

"A Republican has to make as part of their campaign how they're going deal with the deficit and debt issue,” he told NBC News. “We have to have solutions. So far, I haven’t heard that. I'm certainly looking to see if someone has that plan in the tone of their campaign.”

Then Pataki paused to reiterate that he is taking a closer look at the White House. “I’m seriously thinking about it."

Speaker Boehner: Let's Pass This Bill & End This Debt Limit Crisis (Video)

"The United States Senate will have no more excuses for inaction." Boehner also points out that the senate will now have had 2 bills sent to them from the House that would end the debt crisis. Speaker Boehner presser from a short time ago

Setting The Record Straight: 'Gay Marriage Is Not Fine With Me,' Rick Perry Says

It's not fine with us either...

Dallas Morning News

Gov. Rick Perry made headlines last week when he said of New York's new same-sex marriage law, "That's New York, and that's their business, and that's fine with me."

Though his comment, made to Republican donors in Aspen, Colo., was intended to express his ardent support for states' rights -- and not gay marriage -- it irked more than a few conservative Christian groups, who think of Perry as one of their own.

"Perry is basically saying anything goes for each state," wrote David Brody, chief political correspondent for the Christian Broadcasting Network.

While most evangelical Christians believe strongly in states' rights, Brody added, many of them believe even more strongly that there ought to be a constitutional amendment defining marriage as being between a man and a woman.

Brody wrote that being "a pure state's rights guy" could "become problematic" for Perry if he runs for president. "His stance will open up a can of constitutional worms."

Politico reports that the governor is now "revising and extending" his Aspen remarks.

He told Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, a religiously based organization that promotes traditional marriage and family:

"I probably needed to add a few words after that 'it's fine with me,' and that it's fine with me that a state is using their sovereign rights to decide an issue. Obviously gay marriage is not fine with me. My stance hasn't changed."

Reid Says Senate Will Vote On Boehner Plan After House Thursday Night

national journal

The Senate will take up, and vote down, House Speaker John Boehner’s bill to raise the federal debt ceiling immediately after its anticipated House passage Thursday evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said.

“As soon as the House completes its vote tonight, the Senate will move to take up that bill. It will be defeated,” Reid said, citing a letter sent last night to Boehner in which all 53 Democratic Caucus members vowed to vote against the measure if it passes. “No Democrat will vote for a short-term Band-Aid that would put our economy at risk and put the nation back in this untenable situation a few short months from now.”

Reid calling the Boehner plan a "short-term band-aid"

Democrat Jerrold Nadler: "We Don't Have a Deficit Problem Right Now"

Nope, a $ 1.4, $1.3 and a $1.65 trillion deficit the last 3 years is not a problem. "The real problem is we're not taxing properly"


cnsnews

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) argued at a news conference with the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus that the United States does not currently have a budget crisis.

"That’s the real crisis – the unemployment, not the deficit. We don’t have a deficit problem right now. In the long term, we have a deficit problem – we’ve got to get it under control but not right now," said Nadler at the Capitol on Wednesday.

"Right now we’ve got to get unemployment under control. If we got unemployment down to 7 percent, down to 5 percent, which is what it was in 2005, and 2007 rather before the recession hit, if we got it down to 5 percent, half the deficit would be eliminated just by that – half the deficit without cutting a nickel from the budget. So, we have to address the real problem. The real problem is we are not taxing properly

Gov. Chris Christie Taken To Hospital After Having Difficulty Breathing

nj.com

Gov. Chris Christie was hospitalized this morning after he complained of having trouble breathing, according to the governor's office.

A spokesman, Michael Drewniak, said Christie suffers from asthma, and was taken to Somerset Medical Center in Somerville "out of an abundance of caution."

Drewniak said the governor was "doing fine: and undergoing tests.

At town hall events, Christie often tells audiences that he has asthma. When explaining the difference between the federal government's health care plans and New Jersey's, he describes going to his local pharmacist to refill his inhaler prescription.

Christie had been scheduled to attend a bill-signing ceremony at 10:30 a.m. in Hillsborough, but the event was canceled. He is also expected to take questions at 7 p.m. tonight on "Ask the Governor," a monthly call-in radio show on New Jersey 101.5 FM, but there was no indication whether he would participate.

Boehner Doesn't Have The Votes Yet

But will get the votes by tonight

politico

As the House raced toward a vote to raise the debt ceiling, Speaker John Boehner told lawmakers Thursday that Republicans don’t yet have the votes to pass the package, but predicted his leadership team would get the legislation across the finish line this evening.

“We do not have the votes yet,” Boehner told a closed meeting of House Republicans Thursday morning in the Capitol, according to sources in the room. “But today is the day. We’re going to get it passed.”

Georgia Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, who met with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) Wednesday, told lawmakers the bill didn’t have as much savings as he would like, but he will vote for bill.

GOP leaders are also showing more public confidence. In an interview with POLITICO Thursday, Cantor predicted a “strong vote in the House,” and said Senate Majority Leader Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) hasn’t passed a bill yet.

“After today, Harry Reid is going to have two bills,” Cantor said. “He’s going to have the bill that we moved out which is our optimum cut, cap and balance and now he’ll have another bill, which is a compromise bill. There are things in it that he likes and the ball will be in his court at that point.”

The House will vote on the bill at around 5:45 p.m., well after markets close

BBC Reporter Killed in Afghan Suicide Attack

AFP

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Triple suicide blasts and shootings killed 19 people including a local BBC reporter in an ongoing attack on Uruzgan province Thursday that was the deadliest to hit Afghanistan in more than a month.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the coordinated assault that began with suicide bombings on official buildings in the local capital Trinkot and the base of a militia commander who provides security to NATO convoys heading towards the country's besieged south.

The latest unrest comes at a critical juncture in the nearly 10-year war on Taliban-led insurgents, as thousands of US surge troops prepare to go home and other Western nations announce limited withdrawals of soldiers.

All foreign combat forces are due to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and last week a first tranche of handovers from NATO to Afghan forces took place in seven parts of the country.

The BBC said that one of its Afghan reporters, Omid Khpalwak, was among those killed, apparently while he was inside radio and television offices next to the militia commander's compound.

Khpalwak also worked for Afghan news agency Pajhwok and its regional editor Javid Hamim Kakar confirmed his death.

"His brother confirmed that he died and his body is in the Uruzgan central hospital," Kakar told AFP.

Bachmann: If The 14th Amendment is Invoked For Debt Ceiling, Obama Would Effectively Be a Dictator

Bachmann on CNN this morning

President Obama would be effectively a "dictator" if he invoked the 14th amendment to the Constitution to unilaterally raise the debt ceiling, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann said Thursday.

"Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes. It's Congress that does the spending, The president is prohibited to do that. If he had the power to do that he would effectively be a dictator."

Rep. David Wu Could Be Eligible For $1M in Pension, Benefits

usatoday

Rep. David Wu could be eligible for pension and benefits worth more than $1 million in his lifetime, according to an analysis by the National Taxpayers Union.

Wu, D-Ore., first elected in 1998, announced Tuesday he will leave Congress. His departure follows a report in The Oregonian last week that an 18-year-old woman complained to his office about an "unwanted sexual encounter."

The National Taxpayers Union, a non-partisan organization, calculated that Wu could qualify for a pension worth about $851,000 over his lifetime.

It also estimates Wu's balance in his federal Thrift Savings Plan, which is like a 401(k) plan for members of Congress, could possibly be as high as $213,855.

Wu, 56, could immediately draw $23,871 on his pension if he opts to receive early payments. If he waits until he's 62, his annual pension would be about 30% higher, NTU estimates

Tea Party Freshman Slams McCain: "It's Politicians Like Him That Have Gotten Us To This Point" (Video)

Republican congressman Joe Walsh (I like this guy) says McCain's comments on the Senate floor are "bizarro" and "insulting." He says it's politicians like him that have gotten us to this point where we have a government we can't afford, shame on him"

Boehner: "I've Got A Little Rebellion on My Hands Everyday, It Comes With The Territory"

In an interview with NBC News, Boehner told Nightly News anchor Brian Williams that he was not concerned about perceived divisions among House Republicans, dismissing the rifts as par for the course. "I've got a little bit of rebellion on my hands every day." Asked if he considered it a test, he replied, "Yes, it is a test"

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Video: Allen West on Fox News Cavuto says "I support the plan...This plan gets us the 70-75% solution."

Raw Video: CCTV Of Norway Bomb Blast Released

CCTV footage released on Wednesday showed people running for cover inside an electronics store in central Oslo last week as a bomb detonated nearby

WH Press Secretary Jay Carney Tells Ed Henry "You're Creating a Thing For Fox" (Video)

It happened again today. Fox News WH correspondent Ed Henry asks 'where's Obama's plan?'...."When are you gonna submit [Obama's] plan to the Congressional Budget Office?" Carney accuses him of asking a Fox question. The immediate reaction from Carney shows that the White House has no plan whatsoever. Here's the video

Obama Leads in Virginia But Narrowly Over Romney

Obama's numbers slipping in Virginia

publicpolicypolling
Barack Obama's numbers are the weakest they've been in Virginia since before the 2010 election, but he still leads all of his top potential Republican opponents for next year by at least 4 points in the state.

Obama's approval is in slightly negative territory now with 47% of voters giving him good marks while 48% disapprove. On our last poll, conducted shortly after the capture of Osama bin Laden, he was at 51/44. He had also been on positive ground our previous two surveys before that. In March it was 48/45 and last November it was 50/45.

Despite his declining popularity Obama continues to lead all of the top Republican candidates in the state. It's only a 4 point advantage against Mitt Romney at 47-43 but he has pretty healthy leads against the other contenders- 9 points over both Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry at 49-40 and 48-39 respectively, an 11 point advantage over Herman Cain at 49-38, and a 14 point one over Sarah Palin at 51-37

Virgina 2012
Obama 47-Romney 43
Obama 49-Perry 40
Obama 49-Cain 38

Sorry to break the news to everybody, and I'm sure my traffic will take a hit like it did last time, but after this poll showing Sarah Palin 14 points behind Barack Obama in the must win state of Virginia I can absolutely, positively say that Sarah Palin WILL NOT, WILL NOT be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. If polling said something different I would shout it from the rooftops and polls are 400 of my 10K posts, but this is probably the 8th poll that I've posted showing her trailing by double digits in a must-win state. Virginia was carried by Bush in 2004 and 2000 by 8 points and even carried by Dole and GHW Bush when they lost to Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996 and here we have Palin behind 14 points and has a 62% unfavorable rating in Virginia. I love Sarah Palin but there is zero chance that she could defeat Obama in 2012 with these kind of numbers.

White House Staffer Knew About Gun Running Operation Last Fall

Are to believe that President Obama and Eric Holder knew nothing?


cnsnews

At least one person in the White House knew about the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives gun-running operation three months before weapons from the botched sting were found at the murder scene of a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

That’s what a high-ranking ATF official told Congress on Tuesday.

William Newell, the former ATF special agent in charge of the Phoenix field office, told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that he communicated with Kevin O'Reilly, a staffer on President Obama’s National Security Council, about Operation Fast and Furious in September 2010.

By that time, at least one thousand guns straw-purchased in the U.S. had been transferred to Mexican criminals under the noses of ATF officials who intended, but failed, to track them to see where they’d end up.

Under Operation Fast and Furious, which began in September 2009, the ATF allowed some 2,000 guns to “walk” to Mexican drug cartels. The operation was halted in December 2010 after two of the guns were found in Arizona, at the place where U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was murdered.

John Boehner on The Laura Ingraham Program Answers Tea Party Criticism

Right at the beginning, Laura asks Speaker Boehner if it's true that he really told Republicans to get their (ass) in line at a meeting this morning? Boehner: "I sure did." Boehner calls the CBO report yesterday "a kick in the knees." Here's the video/audio

Video: Democrat James Clyburn Say Obama Should Invoke The 14th Amendment

James Clyburn at a Democratic Caucus press briefing earlier says "with the same pen that he vetoes that short-term debt ceiling extension, he should sign an executive order invoking the 14th amendment to this issue"


Associted Press

WASHINGTON -- House Democrats are saying that President Barack Obama should invoke a little-known constitutional provision to prevent the nation from going into default if Congress fails to come up with a plan to raise the debt ceiling.

Rep. James Clyburn, a member of the Democratic leadership, says he told fellow Democrats Wednesday that Obama should both veto a House GOP plan for a short-term extension of the debt ceiling and invoke the 14th amendment, which says that the validity of the nation's public debt "shall not be questioned."

The White House has rejected resorting to this legal tactic to keep the nation from defaulting. But Democratic Caucus chairman John Larson said that with only days left before Treasury's borrowing authority lapses, "we have to have a failsafe mechanism

Afghan Mayor, A U.S. Citizen, Is Killed in Suicide Blast

Taliban claims responsibility

KABUL — The mayor of Kandahar was killed in a suicide attack Wednesday in the southern Afghan city, officials said, the latest victim in a wave of assassinations of high-profile Afghan government officials.

Ghulam Haider Hamidi, an ally of President Hamid Karzai’s family, was killed at the municipal hall in Kandahar city when a suicide bomber set off explosives he had concealed in his turban, said Zalmai Ayoubi, a spokesman for Kandahar’s provincial governor.

The radical Islamist Taliban movement claimed responsibility for Hamidi’s killing.

“A coward killed our mayor today in a suicide attack,” Ayoubi said.

“The enemies of the people and peace martyred a servant of Afghanistan who was striving day and night for the rebuilding and flourishing of the country,” a presidential palace statement quoted Karzai as saying.

Hamidi, 65, had earned a good reputation for his campaign against corruption, embezzlement and the seizure of government plots by powerful men and some tribes in Kandahar province, where tribal rivalry is rampant and Taliban-led insurgents maintain a stronghold

Krauthammer on Bachmann's Position on Debt Ceiling: "It Is Unbelievably Irresponsible" (Video)

Defeating Obama in 2012 more important than being opposed to raising the debt ceiling

Krauthammer: "The case is strong, Obama is weak, the economy is on the rocks. Why would you want to kill the Boehner plan and send us into a crisis and share the economy with Obama, it makes no sense whatsoever"

Boehner To Republicans: "Get Your Ass Back In Line"

The Senate will fold 'like a cheap suit' Boehner said


politico

Scrambling for votes on his troubled deficit package, Speaker John Boehner told GOP lawmakers Wednesday morning to “get your ass in line” behind his debt ceiling bill, saying the Senate will fold and pass it.

“This is the bill,’ Boehner said in a closed-door meeting of House Republicans on Wedneday morning. “I can’t do this job unless you’re behind me.”

Boehner was forced to postpone the vote until Thursday after the Congressional Budget Office said it fell $150 billion short of the $1 trillion goal. Many GOP lawmakers are still undecided whether they will back the measure.

Boehner also predicted Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) and Senate Democrats will have to pass his proposal once the House does. Reid has an alternate plan to cu $2.7 trillion.

“If this gets chaotic, they (the Senate) will fold like a cheap suit,” Boehner said, according to GOP sources.

But some top gop aides to rank and file members indicated the delay may be a blessing in disguise. It could give majority whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) more time to get members in line.

While Boehner tried to adjust to his setback from the CBO’s estimated savings, Reid was enjoying a boost from the independent, non-partisan office, which said the Reid bill would save $2.2 trillion over the next decade — almost triple what Boehner’s bill would.

The Boehner vote whipping and Reid’s maneuvering set the stage for the final six day runup to the Aug. 2 deadline for raising the nation’s debt limit.

Generic Republican Candidate 48%, Obama 42%

This same poll had it tied 44%-44% at the end of June

rasmussenreports

A generic Republican candidate leads President Obama by six points again this week in a hypothetical 2012 election match-up.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows the generic Republican with 48% of the vote, tying the highest level of support earned by either candidate to date. The president picks up 42% support. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, and seven percent (7%) are undecided.

A week ago, the Republican led 47% to 41%, with the president’s support at the lowest level found thus far. The GOP candidate has now outpolled the president in nine of 12 surveys conducted weekly since early May.

The Republican has earned 43% to 48% of the vote, while support for the president has ranged from 41% to 45%. Rasmussen Reports will provide new data on this generic matchup each week until the field of prospective Republican nominees narrows to a few serious contenders.

When the Republican candidate is named, however, the contest is closer. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney runs essentially even with the president now. In April, Obama held a five-point edge over Romney

Sharpton's Ratings Monday Night The Lowest on MSNBC Prime-Time

Not exactly a shock...

Total viewers on cable news Monday night July 25th via tvnewser

US Airways Accused of Flying Unsafe Planes

When a pilot with 30 years of experience refused to fly a plane she considered unsafe, the airline (US Airways) escorted her off. Pilots at US Air are alleging they've been forced to fly unsafe planes. If you fly, take 2 minutes and watch this video report from abc15


abc15

PHOENIX - Pilots at US Airways are alleging they're been forced to fly unsafe planes.

The pilots' union, the US Airline Pilots Association, went to great lengths to alert passengers of their concerns by taking out a full page ad in USA Today.

The US Airways pilots' union alleges a captain with 30 years experience refused to fly a plane she claims had electrical problems.

The union contends, in response, US Airways security escorted her out of the airport and threatened to arrest her crew.

"It was the right decision," said Captain James Ray, spokesman for the US Airline Pilots Association. "The airplane was not safe to fly and yet we have a culture here that tried to reprimand her and tried to force her to fly the plane."

Ray alleges incidents like the one in Philadelphia have become commonplace at US Airways where management in Tempe routinely second guesses the safety judgement of its pilots.

"It seems at US Airways, while they say safety is their No. 1 concern, and I hope that it is, sometimes it appears economics and on-air performance supersedes that," Ray said

30 of 53 Economists Surveyed By Reuters Expect US To Lose Its AAA Credit Rating

"More likely than not"

reuters

WASHINGTON/LONDON - The United States will lose its top-notch AAA credit rating from at least one major rating agency, according to a Reuters poll that also found wrangling over the debt ceiling has already damaged the economy.

A small majority of economists -- 30 out of 53 -- surveyed over the past two days said the United States will lose its AAA credit rating from one of the three big ratings agencies -- Standard & Poor's, Moody's or Fitch.

Respondents saw a 20 percent chance of a new recession over the next year, a prospect that some economists say has been compounded by the acrimonious political fight over what is normally a procedural legislative vote on the debt.

Lawmakers have one week left to hash out a deficit-cutting plan without which Republicans in Congress have said they will not raise the legal $14.3 trillion debt limit, risking a potentially devastating government debt default in August.

"We believe that Congress will act with an 11th hour deal to raise the debt ceiling. However, the risk of that deal failing increases with each passing day," said Guy LeBas, director at Janney Capital Markets.

"I would say that the chance of a U.S. ratings downgrade is now more likely than not."

Downgrade and default would have vastly different consequences. A ratings cut might raise the risk of recession by hurting confidence, but might allow financial markets to muddle through the next few months without incident. A default, however, would send shockwaves through the global financial system that could kick-start a new financial crisis, analysts say.

Zogby: Perry's Entry Into The Race Would Put Him On Top

This again shows how polling is literally all over the place. Some polls you have Romney leading, some Bachmann, this one has Rick Perry in front with Chris Christie second and Romney only pulling 9%. New today from Zogby

zogby.com

UTICA, NY - Michele Bachmann continues to lead the field of announced Presidential candidates among Republican primary voters, but Rick Perry would be the top choice if he entered the race.

Mitt Romney trails both Bachmann and Herman Cain among announced candidates and falls even further back when Perry and Chris Christie are included. However, he continues to be seen by GOP voters as most likely to be the nominee.

These results are from an IBOPE Zogby interactive poll conducted from July 22-25

Gingrich on top of the never vote.
*Which of the following candidates would you never vote for?

Michele Bachmann Opposes Boehner Debt Plan: ‘The Premise Is Wrong’

I have to believe that if she wasn't in Iowa running for president but back on the House floor, she would be supporting the Boehner plan. IMO

abcnews

At a campaign stop in Iowa on Tuesday, presidential candidate Michele Bachmann dealt a high-profile blow to House Speaker John Boehner’s plan to raise the debt ceiling and reduce spending as the nation hurtles toward the Aug. 2 deadline to avoid default.

Speaking to reporters outside a restaurant in Ankeny, Iowa, Bachmann stood by her refusal to vote to raise the debt ceiling.

“The premise is wrong,” Bachmann said of Boehner’s plan, which would tie $1.2 trillion in spending cuts to an immediate increase of $1 trillion in the debt ceiling. The Speaker’s plan would establish a committee to work out additional debt reduction accompanied by another increase in the debt ceiling at a later date.

“This Republican will not vote to raise the debt ceiling,” Bachmann said. “My colleagues will have to come to their own conclusion.”

And one of her colleagues, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, predicted on Tuesday that Boehner’s plan did not have enough GOP votes to pass in the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders acknowledged that few of their members were likely to support the Speaker’s proposal.

Washington Examiner: Paul Ryan endorses the Boehner plan
"I support this reasonable, responsible effort to cut government spending, avoid a default, and help create a better environment for job creation"

White House Threatens Veto of Boehner Bill

Is this not the same White House that blasted Republicans for 'not being able to say yes to anything?'


thecaucus

President Obama on Tuesday formally opposed the latest House Republican bill to address the debt ceiling, but stopped just short of promising to veto the legislation if it reaches his desk in the next week.

In an official statement of administration policy, the White House said the president “strongly opposes House passage” of the bill championed by House Speaker John A. Boehner as the way to end the debt stalemate.

But in contrast to other veto threats, the two-sentence message to the Congress did not say he would veto the bill, which is known as S. 627.

“If S. 627 is presented to the president, the president’s senior advisers would recommend that he veto this bill,” the message said.

The message could serve to help Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, round up votes for a competing, Democratic plan in his chamber. If Senators think the House bill is not viable, they might be more inclined to support Mr. Reid’s version.

But the wiggle room in the statement suggests that the president wants to leave himself the possibility of signing Mr. Boehner’s version if it’s the only option to raise the nation’s debt ceiling in the last hours before the Aug. 2 deadline next week.

Nancy Pelosi: The Republicans Are Using The Debt Stalemate "As An Excuse To Destroy"

PELOSI: "Budget deficit is an excuse for Republicans to undermine government...They don't just want to make cuts, they want to destroy"


It's no surprise she has a 60% unfavorable rating

Where's Obama's Plan? Reporters Clash With WH Press Secretary Jay Carney (Video)

Jake Tapper says to Carney: "It was not a plan, it was details of a plan" You also hear Chuck Todd at the beginning. Carney tells him that "we've shown a lot of leg on what we were proposing"

John Boehner Explains His Plan To Rush Limbaugh (Audio)

Boehner on the first hour of the Rush Limbaugh program

Breaking: Dem Congressman David Wu of Oregon To Resign

He had said he wouldn't resign just 2 days ago

foxnews

Rep. David Wu plans to resign following allegations that he had a forced sexual encounter with a young woman last year.

The Oregon Democrat said Tuesday that he would step down pending "resolution" of the debt-ceiling crisis.

"The time has come to hand on the privilege of high office," he said in a statement. "I cannot care for my family the way I wish while serving in Congress and fighting these very serious allegations."

Wu cited the "wellbeing of my children" in announcing his decision. He also said his resignation would "avoid any distraction from the important work at hand in Washington."

The congressman had earlier told colleagues that he wanted to finish out his term and retire at the start of 2013. But House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi applied pressure to Wu Monday by formally requesting an ethics committee investigation into his actions.

More Gloom: 500 Day Retail Recession Ahead, Says Analyst

In the ditch...

cnbc

The latest consumer confidence report aside, Americans are still apprehensive, especially about their jobs, and that fear is likely to weigh on consumer spending in the months ahead, according to one retail industry consultant.

Burt Flickinger, managing director of retail consultantcy Strategic Resource Group, said the US has just entered a 500-day retail recession, and before it’s over, the US will see weaker retail sales, more store closures and even additional retailers joining Borders in bankruptcy.

Helping to drive the trend is a weak labor market, Flickinger said.

Job growth has remained elusive, pushing the unemployment rate to 9.2 percent. Flickinger also expects more people will be joining the ranks of the unemployed as state and local governments make further cuts to their budgets.

The latest consumer confidence report from the Conference Board showed consumer attitudes perked up from the prior month, but it also captured growing fears about jobs. Those fears are likely to curtail spending, especially when you consider the large numbers of households that are living paycheck to paycheck.

Flickinger also cited the long-term unemployed who will stop receiving extended unemployment benefits this year as another contributing factor. Once the checks stop arriving, these people will have even less money than they do now.

Couple these trends with sky-rocketing inflation for food and clothing as well as for gasoline prices, which are on the rise again, and you quickly see just how pinched the consumer is.

Darrell Issa: Obama Administration Intimidating Witnesses in ATF Gun Probe

Darrell E. Issa, Chaiman of the House Oversight and Gov. Reform Committee suspects an effort by the Obama administration to intimidate witnesses from testifying before his House committee regarding the ATF's "Operation Fast and Furious."

washingtontimes

The Obama administration sought to intimidate witnesses into not testifying to Congress on Tuesday about whether ATF knowingly allowed weapons, including assault rifles, to be “walked” into Mexico, the chairman of a House committee investigating the program said in an interview Monday.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell E. Issa, California Republican, said at least two scheduled witnesses expected to be asked about a controversial weapons investigation known as “Fast and Furious” received warning letters from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to limit their testimony.

Mr. Issa's committee is set to hear testimony from six current or former ATF employees, including agents and attaches assigned to the bureau’s offices in Mexico, about the operation — in which, federal agents say, they were told to stand down and watch as guns flowed from U.S. dealers in Arizona to violent criminals and drug cartels in Mexico.

The six-term lawmaker aired his concerns about the program in a wide-ranging interview with reporters and editors at The Washington Times on Monday.