The Speaker's Slog  —  There were no tears, just cheers, when Speaker John Boehner announced his latest fiscal strategy on Saturday at a closed-door conference meeting.  Even Boehner's longtime critics praised him for pushing a government-spending bill that also delayed Obamacare for one year and repealed the medical-device tax.

The Associated Press Goes to Bat For the Democratic Party  —  Why do Republicans never seem to come out ahead politically when they go toe-to-toe with the Democrats?  Part of the reason, at least, is that the press, to a greater extent than at any time in our history, is monolithically Democrat.

Why I Am Cancelling My Documentary on Hillary Clinton  —  In late 2012, CNN Films approached me about directing a documentary.  We discussed a number of potential subjects, and eventually settled on Hillary Rodham Clinton.  The film would be ambitious, controversial, and highly visible.

Key players in the shutdown debate  —  Washington (CNN) — If the federal government shuts down starting Tuesday because of a bitter partisan battle over the new health care law, more people say congressional Republicans rather than President Barack Obama would be responsible, according to a new national survey.

Right-wing extremists “are guilty of murder,” Sen. Angus King tells Salon  —  In an interview with Salon, Independent senator unloads on conservatives who urge young people to remain uninsured  —  Tuesday begins a 6-month race to enroll as many uninsured people as possible in the Affordable Care Act's insurance exchanges.

Qaeda Plot Leak Has Undermined U.S. Intelligence  —  WASHINGTON — As the nation's spy agencies assess the fallout from disclosures about their surveillance programs, some government analysts and senior officials have made a startling finding: the impact of a leaked terrorist plot by Al Qaeda …

Rebels Without a Clue  —  This may be the way the world ends — not with a bang but with a temper tantrum.  —  O.K., a temporary government shutdown — which became almost inevitable after Sunday's House vote to provide government funding only on unacceptable conditions — wouldn't be the end of the world.

Spencer Bachus, dean of Alabama delegation, retiring  —  Alabama GOP Rep. Spencer Bachus announced on Monday that he would not seek reelection in 2014.  Bachus, the dean of the state's House delegation and a former chairman of the Financial Services Committee, was first elected in 1992.

House Republican Hostage-Takers Are Unfit to Govern  —  They're threatening an economic shutdown that will cause financial hardship and even ruin for millions of Americans.  So let's call these House Republicans what they are, says Jon Favreau.  —  The most terrifying speech I ever wrote for President Obama was one he never gave.

U.S. Justice Department suit aims to stop NC voter ID law  —  sharrison@charlotteobserver.com ablythe@newsobserver.com  —  The U.S. Department of Justice will file a lawsuit Monday to stop North Carolina's new voter ID law, which critics have said is the most sweeping law of its kind …

The frauds on the Hill target Obama  —  Who are these people?  Of what are they made that they can say and do such things on the floor of Congress?  —  No nonsense is too great, no act too low.  —  House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) leaves the floor of the House in the wee hours of Sunday morning …