- Republicans still better at chicken: Speaker Boehner says he’s prepared not to hold a debt limit vote if he’s not getting his way.
- A USA Today/Gallup poll holds some pretty good numbers for Republicans on the budget: 48% support reducing deficits with mostly spending cuts; 37% support a mix of cuts and tax hikes; 11% prefer mostly tax increases; and Republicans hold a 12-point “trust” advantage on the issue overall.
- Steven Mufson and Jon Cohen point out Obama’s diminished performance among independents who say rising gas prices are causing them grief. Here’s one thing I don’t get: They say 39% of those who claim fuel costs are a “serious financial hardship” disapprove of Obama’s handling of the economy. That’s no different than the overall sample in the latest NYT/CBS poll.
- The Iowa Republican doesn’t like waiting on Mike Huckabee and notes his in-state staffers from ’08 are moving on.
- Ron Paul will announce the formation of a presidential exploratory committee today.
- Nate Silver sees little impact in Barbour’s step back and doesn’t buy the Mitch Daniels buddy-narrative.
- The usual early salt-grain caveats apply, but a new poll of South Carolina Republicans finds Romney doing pretty well.
- Donald Berwick finally talks to reporters, but doesn’t say much of interest.
- The Fed nervously prepares for its first press conference.
- Ryan Avent sticks up for QE2.
- NFL commish Roger Goodell laments the court loss to the players union.
- And Rick Perry’s cowboy boots are named “Liberty” and “Freedom.”