Washington's Shutdown Double Dare

Each party's hoping to avoid a shutdown. Unfortunately, knowing that makes each side more willing to use a shutdown threat to shakedown their opponents. If you're a Democrat, you think shutting down the government could crash the economy.  If this happens and there's no time for a recovery by …

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Written by Andrew Gelman on Wednesday March 2, 2011

Boehner's Budget Truce Averts Shutdown

Boehner's two-week spending bill may have avoided a shutdown for now, but the GOP's budget woes may just be beginning. As Congress dithers on the federal budget, the states have taken the bull by the horns.  Sometimes, as in the case of Wisconsin Gov. Scott, maybe too close to the horns. …

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Written by Steve Bell on Wednesday March 2, 2011