Who Really Wants a Shutdown?  —  President Obama does, but the GOP's strategy is a lot less clear.  —  For people who keep saying they don't want a government shutdown, Washington's warring parties are sure acting like they can't wait for it to happen.  Since the policy stakes …

White House hopes last-minute heroics keep government running  —  Republicans have hit President Barack Obama for being out of touch, disengaged and unwilling to lead on the budget negotiations — and Democrats aren't wild about his taste for last-minute heroics either.

EPA riders axed, lawmakers say  —  An evolving deal to avoid a government shutdown would include a study of the economic effect of environmental regulations rather than Republican riders to block EPA rules on climate change and mountaintop mining, senior Senate Democrats and a key House Republican say.

Coburn Says Republicans ‘Probably Should’ Make Budget Deal With Democrats  —  Senator Tom Coburn said House Republicans should drop most provisions governing such policy issues as abortion in budget talks and “probably should” accept spending cuts close to what Democrats are offering to avert a government shutdown.

Muted Abortion Response Speaks Volumes  —  The GOP reaction, or lack thereof, instead suggested a shrugging acceptance of one more round of talking points before the final brokering.  —  For Speaker John Boehner, seen here at a January mock swearing-in of the 112th Congress, the budget battle's bottom line is spending cuts.

Ludicrous and Cruel  —  Many commentators swooned earlier this week after House Republicans, led by the Budget Committee chairman, Paul Ryan, unveiled their budget proposals.  They lavished praise on Mr. Ryan, asserting that his plan set a new standard of fiscal seriousness.