Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D) of Maryland speaks at the Dec. 12 Monitor Breakfast in Washington, D.C. (Michael Bonfigli/The Christian Science Monitor)
'Economically catastrophic' to delay raising debt ceiling, warns top Democrat
Democratic budget leader Rep. Chris Van Hollen urges that the national debt ceiling be raised as part of the year-end talks to avoid the 'fiscal cliff,' rather than waiting until late winter to address it.
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Falling off 'fiscal cliff' is 'insane' but likely, say Simpson and Bowles (+video)
Debt-fighting duo Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, who led Obama's bipartisan debt-reduction panel, speaking at a Monitor breakfast Wednesday warn partisans in Congress against going over the fiscal cliff in a bid to gain a political advantage.
US plunge off 'fiscal cliff' is likely, say debt gurus Simpson and Bowles (+video)
Former chairs of Obama's debt commission, Alan Simpson (R) and Erskine Bowles (D), said at the Monitor breakfast Wednesday they see just a one-third likelihood that the White House and congressional Republicans will reach a deal by year's end to avert the fiscal cliff.
Tax cuts as path to revenue growth? A 'fairy tale,' says Senator Schumer.
It is time to debunk the Republican myth that tax cuts will lead to growth in government revenues, says Sen. Charles Schumer, vice chairman of the Democratic Conference.
Senator Schumer tweaks Karl Rove: If he were a CEO, 'he would be fired'
Sen. Charles Schumer, who has been a key figure in coordinating Democratic campaigns for Senate, said strategist Karl Rove got a 'poor return' for all the money he spent on GOP candidates.
Senator Schumer 'very heartened' by Boehner's 'fiscal cliff' speech
Sen. Charles Schumer, a key Democratic strategist, saw positive signs in House Speaker John Boehner's comments that he would consider closing tax loopholes to raise new revenue.
Club for Growth president: Mitt's business credentials present challenges
Chris Chocola, president of the Club for Growth, sympathizes with the challenges Romney faces as a business executive running for office, but doesn't know how he will serve as president.
Club for Growth president: Mitt Romney is 'a mixed bag'
Chris Chocola, president of the influential conservative group the Club for Growth, certainly wants Mitt Romney to defeat President Obama. He's just not sure what Romney would do once in office.
Nancy Pelosi: We're not ceding one grain of sand to Republicans
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi says her party can gain the 25 seats it needs to retake the House in November, but that it will be an intense, grass-roots fight.
Nancy Pelosi sticks up for Obama: We are better off than four years ago
The Democratic convention has tread lightly around the question of whether America is better off than it was four years ago. But Nancy Pelosi hit it head on Wednesday.
Speaker John Boehner pledges offensive drive for House seats
Speaker John Boehner outlines strategy for gaining a bigger House majority for GOP: keep on the offense. And if Obama wins? If required, Boehner says, he can find 'common ground' with him.
What did John Boehner actually say about GOP and minority voters?
One media report suggested that House Speaker John Boehner told reporters Monday that he hoped minorities would not vote this fall. The video suggests differently.
Are Republican convention and platform too long? John Boehner thinks so.
House Speaker John Boehner suggests that both party conventions (three days) and platforms (60 pages) need to be downsized to make them more accessible to average Americans.
AFL-CIO chief's message to Obama: 'jobs, jobs, and more jobs'
The head of the largest trade union federation says President Obama will have to hammer home a message of 'jobs, jobs, and more jobs' to keep the support of white working-class men this election.
AFL-CIO chief Trumka: Race is less of an issue in 2012 election
Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, says race matters less – 'The sky didn't fall' – in the 2012 election, which is overwhelmingly about jobs and the economy.
Rep. Steny Hoyer: Americans are now anxious, not angry
House minority whip Steny Hoyer says if 2010 was the year of the angry American voter, 2012 is the year of the anxious voter. The Maryland Democrat also says current Congress is 'least productive and most confrontational' he's ever served in.
GOP leader offers advice for addressing Mitt Romney's likability problem
House majority whip Kevin McCarthy acknowledges that Mitt Romney trails President Obama when voters are asked whom they like more. He says Romney should visit lots of Staples stores to boost his appeal.
Steny Hoyer: Neither party is spoiling for a fight over a government shutdown
The end of the fiscal year is typically a flash point for partisan battles, but not with a 'fiscal cliff' looming after November elections. Even GOP conservatives are accepting higher spending levels, rather than risk a government shutdown.
Haley Barbour: Republicans are 'totally united' behind Romney
Haley Barbour, the former Mississippi governor and longtime Republican power player, dispels the notion that the Republican Party is too orthodox, pointing to its support for Mitt Romney.
Sen. Marco Rubio: Immigration 'not easily solved' on campaign trail
Sen. Marco Rubio (R) of Florida, speaking June 21 at a Monitor breakfast, defended Mitt Romney's support for a robust legal immigration system, while acknowledging he 'doesn't have a ... bill.'
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