Biden: Tea partiers like ‘terrorists’  —  Vice President Joe Biden joined House Democrats in lashing tea party Republicans Monday, accusing them of having “acted like terrorists” in the fight over raising the nation's debt limit.  —  Biden was agreeing with a line of argument made by Rep. Mike Doyle …

Giffords's Return Marks Moment of Unity in Divided House  —  The clock was running down, and the debt ceiling compromise did not yet have enough ayes to pass.  Then, slowly, applause started trickling through the House chamber.  The clapping grew over the next half minute, until finally …

CBO ANALYSIS OF AUGUST 1 BUDGET CONTROL ACT  —  Letter to the Honorable John Boehner and the Honorable Harry Reid  —  The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated the impact on the deficit of the Budget Control Act of 2011, as posted on the Web site of the House Committee on Rules on August 1, 2011.

The Fine Print on the Debt Deal  —  If Democrats read the fine print on the debt deal struck by President Obama and Congressional leaders, they'll find that it's a little better than it appears at first glance.  —  That's not to say that the deal is a good one for them.

Most of Newt Gingrich's Twitter Followers Are Fake  —  Yesterday Newt Gingrich laid out a new argument for why he should be the GOP presidential nominee: He's got the most Twitter followers.  But according to a former Gingrich staffer, he bought them.  —  Gingrich complained yesterday …

Bolton Speaks  —  John Bolton has just issued a thoughtful statement raising “serious questions ... about the national-security implications of the proposed deal to raise the Federal debt ceiling.”  Bolton calls attention to the worrisome short-term defense cuts that the deal makes likely …

Krugman Quibble  —  I agree with most of what Paul Krugman has to say about the debt deal-with one crucial exception.  He's right that Obama should have included raising the debt ceiling in last December's tax deal...but he's wrong, I think, about the President using what we'll call …

The Winner of the Power Line Prize Is...  “The Spending Is Nuts,” by Justin Folk:  —  “Squirrels,” as we call it informally, is a beautiful piece of work.  (View it on YouTube in HD here.)  We asked Justin to share his thoughts on the contest and his video:

The red and the black  —  Where federal taxes are raised and spent  —  SOME American states receive more in federal spending than they pay in federal taxes; others receive less.  Over twenty years these fiscal transfers can add up to a sizeable sum.  From 1990 to 2009 …

Budget talks in a word: ‘Ridiculous,’ ‘disgusting’ and ‘stupid’ top poll  —  Americans give overwhelmingly negative reviews to the fierce budget debate that has transfixed Washington over the past few weeks, and large numbers now think less favorably about the country's political leaders …

Pamela Geller Deletes Racist Caption, Hides Comments  —  Today we find that anti-Muslim lunatic Pamela Geller is editing her posts again, to remove evidence of blatant racism.  —  In her despicable post from yesterday, in which she attacked the victims of Oslo terrorist Anders Behring Breivik …

AFP Wisconsin ballots have late return date  —  Americans for Prosperity is sending absentee ballots to Democrats in at least two Wisconsin state Senate recall districts with instructions to return the paperwork after the election date.  —  The fliers, obtained by POLITICO …

GETTING BIN LADEN … - POLITICS - PROFILES - THE TALK OF THE TOWN - COMMENT - THIS WEEK'S ISSUE - THE FINANCIAL PAGE - NEWS DESK - THE POLITICAL SCENE

Putin says U.S. is “parasite” on global economy  —  (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused the United States Monday of living beyond its means “like a parasite” on the global economy and said dollar dominance was a threat to the financial markets.

Protesters of debt deal detained at Capitol  —  Up to 20 people protesting against House Speaker John Boehner's (R-Ohio) debt deal were detained Monday at the Capitol.  —  The protesters, including members of the National People's Action (NPA) group, disrupted debate on the House floor …

Two Things About Huntsman's Mail Piece  —  Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman returns to New Hampshire this week hoping to try again after a campaign launch that appeared to have more buzz before than after.  —  In the last two weeks, his campaign manager and longtime friend have now left the campaign.

Gaga on Clinton: Leave her alone  —  (CNN) - When it comes to fashion, Lady Gaga has Hillary Clinton's back.  —  Gaga defended the secretary of state Monday in response to recent criticism by “Project Runway” star Tim Gunn, who stirred controversy when he made fun of Clinton's pantsuit-heavy wardrobe last week.

U.S. Political Ideology Stable With Conservatives Leading  —  Most Republicans are conservative, but one in five is “very conservative”  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Americans' political ideology at the midyear point of 2011 looks similar to 2009 and 2010, with 41% self-identifying as conservative, 36% as moderate, and 21% as liberal.

GOP Rep. Lamborn: Associating With Obama Is Like ‘Touching A Tar Baby’  —  Appearing on the Caplis and Silverman radio show last Friday, Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) said, “Now I don't even want to have to be associated with [Obama], it's like touching a tar baby and you're stuck, you're part of the problem now.

Kelsey Grammer may run for office in New York  —  Imagine Kelsey Grammer as the next resident of Gracie Mansion.  —  The “Frasier” star — a longtime conservative Republican — now says he plans to run for office, perhaps right here in New York, when he gives up acting.

WHIP COUNT: Debt-limit bill appears to have the votes to clear Congress  —  The debt-limit deal announced on Sunday night is expected to attract more than 60 votes in the Senate, but its outlook in the House is much more cloudy.  —  Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) will need Democratic votes to clear the bill through the lower chamber.

House To Recess After Debt Vote, Even Though FAA Shutdown Is Forcing Inspectors To Work Without Pay  —  With all eyes in Washington focused on the debt ceiling debate, little has been made of another costly impasse.  Republicans have refused to re-authorize the Federal Aviation Administration …

Al-Shabaab to launch Ramadan offensive?  —  Somali militant group al-Shabaab has received a cache of weapons in preparation for an assault to coincide with the holy month of Ramadan, a source said.  —  Al-Shabaab has declared war on the African Union's peacekeeping mission in Somalia.