Politics: Afternoon Edition: Obama signs debt deal into law

If you have difficulty viewing this newsletter, click here to view as a Web page. Click here to view in plain text. Tuesday, August 2, 2011 HEADLINES Obama signs debt deal into law Obama vowed to keep working for a "balanced approach" to deficit reduction that includes "reforming our tax code so that the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations pay their fair share." » Read full article Mitt Romney gets energized The Republican front-runner plans to pick up his pace and unveil policy proposals this month. » Read full article Boehner grows on GOP tea partiers Poll finds majority of Republicans who agree with the tea party give the speaker positive reviews on debt deal. » Read full article Giffords has not decided on 2012 bid The congresswoman voted last night, but she's not ready to decide whether she will run for reelection. » Read full article How well do you know the debt debate? QUIZ | Test your knowledge of the best quotes of the 2011 debt ceiling fight. » Read full article BEHIND THE GOVERNMENT SHOWDOWN Sign up for daily e-mail updates on the federal budget showdown QUOTE OF THE DAY Vice President Biden, on hugging Michele Bachmann on the House floor: "I like Michele Bachmann. For real...We're all standing there around, and Michele walks up to see Gabby, because she cares about her. I mean, look. The thing that sometimes gets lost in this place — maybe I spent too much time here as a senator — there is a basic humanity here, man. It matters between people. I know that sounds corny." COMMENT OF THE DAY factorygal63, on David A. Fahrenthold and Felicia Sonmez's "Giffords makes surprise return for debt vote" story: There was no doubt in my mind that she would be there. That is her character. She is a representative for the people and she will never let them down. All in Congress should take a page out of Gabby's book and act with class and dignity the way she does. Q&A DISCUSSIONS Eugene Robinson was online at 1:00 p.m. ET to discuss the debt deal: Q: Why, with all of the squawking and talking about how to "fix" Social Security, won't anyone in the Administration and/or Congress or the SSA suggest that all Americans pay the same percentage tax (which could be a lower percentage for everyone) on ALL forms of income VERSUS up to the current income limit of $106,000? Eugene Robinson: Most proposals for "fixing" Social Security involve raising or eliminating the income cap. That said, it's important to note that this is not an emergency. It's true that the sooner the fix the less it should hurt, but it's not true that SocSec is at or near a crisis point. It's still in the black to the tune of more than $2 trillion. » View full Q&A session MULTIMEDIA Video: Debt ceiling crisis averted The Washington Post's Ezra Klein talks about how the GOP and Democrats came to an agreement despite contentious rhetoric on both sides of the debt ceiling debate and how the United States was able to avoid default. (Aug. 2) Get The Washington Post, your way. Want to stay on top of the latest news, features, commentary and more? Here's how: Mobile: Alerts: Social Media: Applications Web site E-mail SMS RSS Feeds Facebook Twitter SEND TO A FRIEND UNSUBSCRIBE E-NEWSLETTER CENTER GET HELP Washington Post Digital E-mail Customer Care 1150 15th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20071 ©2011 The Washington Post Privacy Policy