House to vote first on Senate plan  —  The House will vote first on an emerging Senate proposal to open government and lift the debt ceiling, a move that would expedite bipartisan legislation developed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Why we miss Kay Bailey Hutchison  —  Things surely would look far different with Sen. Hutchison in office in the nation's capital  —  Does anyone else miss Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison?  —  We're not sure how much difference one person could make in the toxic, chaotic, hyperpartisan atmosphere in Washington …

Carl Bernstein: GOP leadership ‘cancerous’  —  Journalist and author Carl Bernstein said Wednesday that Republican Party leadership is “cancerous” and has put the United States at risk by letting the tea party lead the GOP.  —  “The Republican Party today has become a rabid organization from the top down.

Bridge Burning and Bridge Building  —  House Republicans have signaled they are giving up.  —  They'll merge their ideas with Mitch McConnell's ideas.  The result will be a funded government, raised debt ceiling, and nothing done with Obamacare.  —  Throughout this fight, Harry Reid has outsmarted Mitch McConnell.

Shutdown hurts GOP Senate chances  —  New PPP polls of 6 key Senate races that will determine control of the body after next year's election finds voters extremely unhappy about the government shutdown.  As a result Republicans trail in 5 of the 6 key races and are tied in the 6th.

Move On Everybody, It Just Doesn't Matter  —  The ugliness of the GOP schism will probably have a long half life, as various parties feel the need to point fingers and shout “I didn't do it!”  But if at all possible, I think conservatives and Republicans would be well-served by putting …

Obama to push immigration reform ‘day after’ budget deal  —  President Obama vowed Tuesday that he would pursue an immigration reform vote in the House the “day after” Congress reached an agreement to reopen the government and raise the debt ceiling.  —  “Once that's done, you know …

Sorry, Kids.  We Ate It All.  —  Eventually this shutdown crisis will end.  And eventually the two parties will make another stab at a deal on taxes, investments and entitlements.  But there's one outcome from such negotiations that I can absolutely guarantee: Seniors …

CONGRESSMAN: ‘CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS’ IF GOP CAVES ON DEBT CEILING  —  GOP lawmaker says that if his party's leadership gives in to Obama, they will have forever altered the checks and balances of the U.S. federal government.  —  On the House floor on Monday, Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) …

Obama adviser ‘architect’ of showdown: author  —  President Obama's top adviser Valerie Jarrett was behind a plan to force a showdown with Republicans over ObamaCare as part of a strategy to regain Democratic control of the House next year, claims author Ed Klein.