The Road (Maybe) Ahead  —  HALPERIN'S TAKE  —  This isn't a prediction, but here is one highly plausible sequence of a series of events that could play out on the debt crisis:  —  Some time in the next 5 days, the President reaches an understanding with Speaker Boehner, Congressman Hoyer …

Betty Ford, Former First Lady, Dies at 93  —  Betty Ford, the outspoken and much-admired wife of President Gerald R. Ford who overcame alcoholism and an addiction to pills and helped found one of the best-known rehabilitation centers in the nation, died Friday in Palm Springs, Calif. She was 93.

The new oppo research: Spotting the labels on the wine on the politician's restaurant table.  —  Some busybody business professor named Susan Feinberg pulled this trick on Paul Ryan and Talking Points Memo is lapping it up: … So, Feinberg was appalled, stunned, and outraged.  That's got to hurt.

Panetta Says Defeat of Al Qaeda Is ‘Within Reach’  —  KABUL, Afghanistan — Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, who arrived in Kabul on Saturday, said that the United States was “within reach of strategically defeating Al Qaeda” and that the American focus had narrowed to capturing or killing 10 …

Worst President Ever, Revisited  —  No, I'm not ready to crown Barack Obama the Worst President Ever just yet, but consider this:  —  Yes, George W. Bush wrecked our economy, destroyed New Orleans, turned a budget surplus into massive deficits, ignored warnings of a major terrorist attack …

A real problem vs. an imaginary one  —  After the release of the June job numbers, there were plenty of worthwhile charts and graphs making the rounds, but this one from Paul Krugman was especially helpful.  —  In case it's a little hard to see, that red line is the unemployment rate …

I Received ‘Ex-Gay’ Therapy at Marcus Bachmann's Clinic  —  TWO Exclusive Investigative Report by John M. Becker  —  The date was Thursday, June 30, 2011.  I turned on the television and listened half-heartedly to the commercials as I busied about doing other things.

Trailing G.O.P. With Cameras, Seeking Gaffes  —  AMHERST, N.H. — Aaron Fielding quietly stalks his prey — Republicans — with his video camera, patiently waiting for a political moment worthy of YouTube.  —  At 27, he is a full-time “tracker” for American Bridge 21st Century …

DSCC blames ‘staff error’ for Murray fund-raising appeal to Koch exec  —  Update: Friday 12:32 p.m.: DSCC sent a response to the Koch executive, blaming the appeal for money on a “staff error” and rescinding it — while getting in several digs at the Kochs and their involvement in “right-wing smear campaigns.”

Obama turns to small-scale solutions to a weak economy  —  The White House, threatened by the high unemployment rate, proposes free-trade agreements and more spending on high-speed rail in the absence of more ambitious tools, such as stimulus spending.  —  President Obama delivers a statement …

Boston gets a nonreality show  —  CBS broadcasts impossible views of 4th fireworks  —  Those who watched Boston's revered Fourth of July celebration Monday night on CBS were treated to spectacular views of fireworks exploding behind the State House, Quincy Market, and home plate at Fenway Park …

Rep. Stearns considering Planned Parenthood investigation  —  Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, is mulling over the possibility of launching an investigation into Planned Parenthood at the request of an anti-abortion group that has written a report hoping to get Planned Parenthood defunded.

James Murdoch could face criminal charges on both sides of the Atlantic  —  As phone hacking scandal leaves News Corp open to prosecution, James Murdoch looks less likely to inherit empire  —  James Murdoch and News Corp could face corporate legal battles on both sides of the Atlantic …

As Same-Sex Marriage Becomes Legal, Some Choices May Be Lost  —  Now that same-sex marriage has been legalized in New York, at least a few large companies are requiring their employees to tie the knot if they want their partners to qualify for health insurance.