Harry Reid Calls House Republicans' Bluff  —  Something you often see in negotiations is a mismatch between one side's stated sticking points and its real sticking points.  In the debate over the debt ceiling, for example, Republicans have sought to portray themselves as having two bottom lines.

Speaker Boehner's Big Gamble  —  The Republican Speaker John A. Boehner, following the collapse of negotiations with President Obama, appears to be considering a path that would involve the House Republicans voting to raise the federal debt ceiling on their own terms, with little expectation of Democratic support.

Debt Debate: What are the Odds Congress Can Raise Debt Ceiling by Aug. 2?  —  ABC News' Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) reports:  —  Democrats and Republicans are on a collision course this week over raising the debt ceiling.  At some point, somebody will need to back down, but right …

Washington Isn't Broken, the Republican Party Is  —  Democrats have repeatedly sought a compromise deal on the debt.  Why blame the whole city for Republican intransigence?  —  Watching yesterday's Sunday shows was a reminder that, of all the bromides that are popular among D.C. pundits …

How we got into this fine mess  —  For a clear, powerful, and erudite short take on the current debt debacle, there's no better place to go than Jim Surowiecki.  His main thesis is pretty much impossible to argue with: that the debt ceiling should be abolished.

Norway Suspect May Have Had Accomplices; Death Toll Lowered  —  OSLO — The 32-year-old man accused of devastating twin attacks in Norway now maintains that two cells of extremists collaborated with him, court officials said here Monday as they ordered solitary confinement for the suspect.