John Boehner's big bet  —  House Speaker John Boehner has dug in.  —  If the let-the-cuts-happen approach on the sequester seems risky — especially with President Barack Obama blaming Republicans for everything from kids not getting vaccines to long lines at the airport — the alternative for Boehner is worse.

I don't understand the Republican position on the sequester  —  What's the plan?  (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)  —  As I understand it, the GOP has five basic goals in the budget talks:  —  1) Cut the deficit.  —  2) Cut entitlement spending.  —  3) Protect defense spending, and possibly even increase it.

Right cheers Bob Woodward ‘fact check’  —  Conservatives in the media have found themselves armed with political ammunition in their battle with President Barack Obama over the impending sequester from a surprising source — Bob Woodward.  —  The journalism icon's fact check on the sequester …

Chris Christie to take Obamacare Medicaid expansion  —  New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is preparing to announce he's accepting Medicaid expansion under the president's health care law, becoming the eighth GOP governor to buck his party and align himself with President Barack Obama on the issue, according to POLITICO sources.