Earlier this week David Plouffe, one of Obama's senior advisers and an architect of his 2008 campaign, was panned for saying "the average American does not view the economy through the prism of GDP or unemployment rates or even monthly jobs numbers." In a condescending way, White House press secretary Jay Carney basically told the press corps t

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi addresses the press after she and senior members of her caucus met with President Obama. Key transcript below: "This morning I had the privilege of meeting with the President and the Vice President on this subject so that we have a clear understanding as the President has met with all of the leade

"The American people expect us to act on every single good idea that's out there. I read letter after letter from folks hit hard by this economy. None of them ask for much. Some of them pour their guts out in these letters, and they want me to know that what they're looking for is that we have done everything we can to make sure that they are rewar

House Speaker Boehner commented on this morning’s jobs report, which showed that the unemployment rate in June went up to 9.2%, saying he’s sure the American people are still asking, “Where are the jobs?” Boehner said the job creators are being held back by the stimulus spending binge, excessive government regulations, and our over

The Nation’s Katrina Vanden Heuvel and Prof. Jeffrey Rosen discuss whether President Barack Obama can invoke a part of the 14th Amendment to keep the U.S. from defaulting on its debt. "There is a legitimate question to be raised. Witness how the Republicans have engaged in these negations as to whether the Republicans are committed to tanking

"Listen, I'm 55 years old. I've given birth to five kids and I've raised 23 foster kids," she said. "So that sounds like good news to me." (via The Hill)

"The American people sent us here to do the right thing, not for party but for country. So, we're going to work together to get things done on their behalf. That's the least that they should expect of us. Not the most that they should expect of us. I am ready to roll up my sleeves over the next several weeks and next several months. I know that peo

CNBC's Carl Quintanilla: Your reaction to this jobs number? Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.): "Well, it's stunningly bad news. It's bad news for the president politically, but it's even worse news for the American people out on Main Street. I've spent a considerable amount of time on Main Street talking to real people in New Hampshi

In a new Web ad, Mitt Romney's campaign hits President Obama on unemployment and criticizes Obama adviser David Plouffe for saying that "people won’t vote based on the unemployment rate."

Rachel Maddow says Medicare and Social Security are the reasons why the Democratic party exists. Democrats win by mobilizing unions and they didn't used to be embarrassed by this, Maddow said.

NBC's Chuck Todd asks Rep. Chris Van Hollen if he is comfortable with appeasing Republicans by lowering tax rates if that means they can lower the percentage of dedications of various items.

Ed Schultz says dozens of Democrats in the House feel blind-sided by President Obama.

Charles Krauthammer on Rep. Michele Bachmann: "I think Iowa is the perfect place for Bachmann. I think she has the right appeal, and I use the word without any adjectives attached to the word 'appeal.' It's her constituency. Her problem is, as you saw in that ad, was she said, 'I will not raise the debt limit' at all. Now, it'll play well in