The Road (Maybe) Ahead  —  HALPERIN'S TAKE  —  This isn't a prediction, but here is one highly plausible sequence of a series of events that could play out on the debt crisis:  —  Some time in the next 5 days, the President reaches an understanding with Speaker Boehner, Congressman Hoyer …

Betty Ford, Former First Lady, Dies at 93  —  Betty Ford, the outspoken and much-admired wife of President Gerald R. Ford who overcame alcoholism and an addiction to pills and helped found one of the best-known rehabilitation centers in the nation, died Friday in Palm Springs, Calif. She was 93.

Panetta Says Defeat of Al Qaeda Is ‘Within Reach’  —  KABUL, Afghanistan — Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, who arrived in Kabul on Saturday, said that the United States was “within reach of strategically defeating Al Qaeda” and that the American focus had narrowed to capturing or killing 10 …

The new oppo research: Spotting the labels on the wine on the politician's restaurant table.  —  Some busybody business professor named Susan Feinberg pulled this trick on Paul Ryan and Talking Points Memo is lapping it up: … So, Feinberg was appalled, stunned, and outraged.  That's got to hurt.

Worst President Ever, Revisited  —  No, I'm not ready to crown Barack Obama the Worst President Ever just yet, but consider this:  —  Yes, George W. Bush wrecked our economy, destroyed New Orleans, turned a budget surplus into massive deficits, ignored warnings of a major terrorist attack …

A real problem vs. an imaginary one  —  After the release of the June job numbers, there were plenty of worthwhile charts and graphs making the rounds, but this one from Paul Krugman was especially helpful.  —  In case it's a little hard to see, that red line is the unemployment rate …

Trailing G.O.P. With Cameras, Seeking Gaffes  —  AMHERST, N.H. — Aaron Fielding quietly stalks his prey — Republicans — with his video camera, patiently waiting for a political moment worthy of YouTube.  —  At 27, he is a full-time “tracker” for American Bridge 21st Century …

I Received ‘Ex-Gay’ Therapy at Marcus Bachmann's Clinic  —  TWO Exclusive Investigative Report by John M. Becker  —  The date was Thursday, June 30, 2011.  I turned on the television and listened half-heartedly to the commercials as I busied about doing other things.

Sheila Bair's Bank Shot  —  'They should have let Bear Stearns fail," Sheila Bair said.  —  It was midmorning on a crisp June day, and Bair, the 57-year-old outgoing chairwoman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation — the federal agency that insures bank deposits and winds down failing banks …

DSCC blames ‘staff error’ for Murray fund-raising appeal to Koch exec  —  Update: Friday 12:32 p.m.: DSCC sent a response to the Koch executive, blaming the appeal for money on a “staff error” and rescinding it — while getting in several digs at the Kochs and their involvement in “right-wing smear campaigns.”

Obama turns to small-scale solutions to a weak economy  —  The White House, threatened by the high unemployment rate, proposes free-trade agreements and more spending on high-speed rail in the absence of more ambitious tools, such as stimulus spending.  —  President Obama delivers a statement …

After Years of Struggle, South Sudan Becomes a New Nation  —  JUBA, South Sudan — The celebrations erupted at midnight.  Thousands of revelers poured into Juba's steamy streets in the predawn hours on Saturday, hoisting enormous flags, singing, dancing and leaping on the back of cars.

Boston gets a nonreality show  —  CBS broadcasts impossible views of 4th fireworks  —  Those who watched Boston's revered Fourth of July celebration Monday night on CBS were treated to spectacular views of fireworks exploding behind the State House, Quincy Market, and home plate at Fenway Park …

Phone Scandal Poses Defining Test for a Murdoch Son  —  On Thursday afternoon, James Murdoch assembled senior executives in the top-floor boardroom in the News Corporation's London headquarters and told them of a momentous decision: to shutter the 168-year-old tabloid at the center …

Rep. Stearns considering Planned Parenthood investigation  —  Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, is mulling over the possibility of launching an investigation into Planned Parenthood at the request of an anti-abortion group that has written a report hoping to get Planned Parenthood defunded.

Conrad budget cuts $800B from Defense  —  The secret Senate Democratic budget resolution relies heavily on $800 billion in cuts to the Pentagon.  —  The secret Senate Democratic budget resolution drafted by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and shared with the White House relies heavily …