Poll: 71% shun GOP handling of debt crisis  —  CBS News Poll analysis by the CBS News Polling Unit: Sarah Dutton, Jennifer De Pinto, Fred Backus and Anthony Salvanto.  —  Americans are unimpressed with their political leaders' handling of the debt ceiling crisis, with a new CBS News poll showing …

News and Its Critics  —  A tabloid's excesses don't tarnish thousands of other journalists.  —  When News Corp. and CEO Rupert Murdoch secured enough shares to buy Dow Jones & Co. four years ago, these columns welcomed our new owner and promised to stand by the same standards and principles we always had.

Coburn to unveil $9T deficit-reduction plan  —  Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) said Sunday the federal government can save $1 trillion though tax reform, a proposal that will put him at odds with some GOP colleagues.  —  Coburn plans to unveil a $9 trillion deficit-reduction package Monday …

Phone Hacking: John Yates ‘to be suspended’ over Neil Wallis links  —  One of Scotland Yard's most senior officers, John Yates, is likely to be suspended on Monday pending an investigation over the phone hacking scandal and his links to Neil Wallis, sources have told The Daily Telegraph.

The Slow, Painful Coming Death Of The Independent, Conservative Blogosphere  —  Way, way back in 2001, when I got started in the blogosphere, the Right side of the blogosphere was bigger and more influential than the Left.  Why?  Well, in American politics, the energy tends to be with the party that's out of power.

David Petraeus hands over Afghanistan command  —  Gen John Allen said his intention was ‘to maintain the momentum of this campaign’  —  Gen David Petraeus, US commander of Nato troops in Afghanistan, has handed responsibility for the military campaign there to his successor, Gen John Allen.

A Big Week for the New Consumer Agency  —  This is a big week for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).  Today, the President will announce his intent to nominate Richard Cordray to serve as the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Chance for quick budget deal fades  —  Timing of special session is in doubt as GOP legislative leaders try to line up enough votes to end state shutdown.  —  Four days after the announcement of a budget deal, fresh signs emerged Sunday that the agreement is not coming together as first hoped …

How Much Longer Can Obama Defy Political Gravity?  —  ANALYSIS By AMY WALTER (@amyewalter): Although President Obama's job approval rating of 48 percent (according to Pollster.com average) isn't exactly stellar, it is remarkably high given the level of economic pessimism and despair among American electorate.

2012 presidential race: Expense reports give peek at candidates' priorities, styles  —  Mitt Romney is big into political consultants and security guards, underscoring the establishment nature of his campaign.  Newt Gingrich is so fond of the Internet and luxury jets that he got himself $1 million in hock.

Letting Bankers Walk  —  Ever since the current economic crisis began, it has seemed that five words sum up the central principle of United States financial policy: go easy on the bankers.  —  This principle was on display during the final months of the Bush administration …