What Were They Thinking?  —  Someday people will look back and wonder, What were they thinking?  Why, in the midst of a stalled recovery, with the economy fragile and job creation slowing to a trickle, did the nation's leaders decide that the thing to do—in order to raise the debt limit …

President Pushover  —  Updated: Drew article now available.  —  The redoubtable Elizabeth Drew has a forthcoming article in the New York Review of Books — that confirms all our worst fears.  She tells us that past concessions have … Even more alarming, however, is her window on what the White House is thinking:

Bill would force Obama to pay Social Security, military if US defaults  —  Tea Party conservatives hope to make a push on the House floor to force President Obama to avoid a national default if Congress fails to raise the debt limit.  —  Members of the Senate Tea Party Caucus have met …

Boehner expects to have proposal Monday; Reid, Pelosi meet Obama  —  On a Sunday afternoon conference call with House Republican lawmakers, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) called on the GOP to “stick together” in the debt-ceiling negotiations and presented a a timeline that could see a vote on a proposal by Wednesday.

Debate Clucker Tim Pawlenty Asks Candy Crowley ‘Is President Obama Chicken?’  —  In a statement so rich, Republicans are refusing to tax it, GOP presidential can'tidate Tim Pawlenty (R-The Drain) rhetorically asked CNN's Candy Crowley of President Obama, “Is he chicken?”

Dominique Strauss-Kahn Accuser Speaks Out in Exclusive ABC News Interview  —  In an exclusive television interview, ABC News' Robin Roberts speaks with the hotel employee who alleges she was sexually assaulted by former International Monetary Fund Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn.